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Coastal defense and
riverbank protection

Boskalis is a leading global player in the field of coastal defense and riverbank protection. We design, construct and maintain hard sea barriers, such as dikes, dams and flood barriers, and also soft sea defenses, such as beach and near-shore replenishment. In addition, we provide innovative solutions for forms of coastal protection based on the principles of building with nature such as the sand motors and the use of mangroves.

Ensuring safety and natural balance

Safety and a natural balance are the most important aspects of good coastal protection. Our vast experience and expertise enable us to assist you with the economic and environmental assessment of your coastal protection project. We have a proven track record and the drive to maintain a well-balanced ecosystem.


Our innovative and building with nature solutions

  • Sand motors use natural forces like tides, wind, currents and waves to spread sand along the coast from a central replenishment location.
  • The creation of a wave-reducing system. Examples are the combined approach of land reclamation and new mangrove forests to protect the North Java coastal area in Indonesia and a green wave reducing dike in The Netherlands. A willow forest, planted along the front of the dike, is expected to be able to absorb up to 80% of the waves’ force.

Our projects

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Reinforcing Dutch
coastline, Sandmotor

In December 2010 Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. was awarded a contract by the Dutch Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management to reinforce part of the coastline in the province of Zuid-Holland by creating a ‘sand engine’. The total value of the contract is EUR 50 million for the Van Oord- Boskalis consortium, in which Boskalis has a 50% stake.

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Port expansion LNG terminal, Cuyutlán

The Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transport awarded Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. two contracts for dredging an access channel and turning basin at the Cuyutlán liquefied natural gas import terminal on the west coast of Mexico.

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Design and construction harbor channel, Sydney harbor

The 'Sydney Harbor Channel Dredging Project' in Nova Scotia, Canada, involved dredging and reclamation work as part of the construction of the new Sydney Port container terminal located on the northeast coast of Canada. Once operational, Sydney Port will be the most northerly deepwater container terminal on the North American east coast.

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Port construction,
Khalifa port

The Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ), one of the world’s largest greenfield development projects, is part of Abu Dhabi’s major diversification plan to develop various sectors such as property, tourism, infrastructure and others. Abu Dhabi’s main existing port, Mina Zayed, is hemmed in by Abu Dhabi city, limiting its accessibility and the possibility for expansion.

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Maintenance dredging, Berbice River

One of Guyana’s major export products is bauxite, which originates from the Aroaima, Kwakwani and Ituni regions around the Demerara and Berbice rivers in north-eastern Guyana. Guyana annually exports approximately 2.2 million tons of bauxite from it’s mines along the Berbice River. Boskalis International has long been associated with the mining industry in Guyana. In 1990 a long-term overburden removal project for the Aroaima mine was begun in Guyana involving the dredging and disposal of a sand and clay layer of 30-45 meters thickness.

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Port reconfiguration, Felixstowe

Capital dredging and filling works for new quay development (previously known as Landguard Redevelopment). Phase 1 of the reconfiguration programme consists of: 730 m new deep water quay and 200,000 m2 container handling area achieved by installing new quay in front of old Landguard port structures and redevelopment of the old Landguard terminal.

Our brands

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Boskalis Dragamex

Our company providing dredging and marine services in Mexico.

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Boskalis Hirdes

Our hydraulic engineering company in Germany.

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Boskalis Nederland

Infrastructure projects on land and water in The Netherlands.

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Boskalis Terramare

Expertise for demanding marine construction projects in the Nordic region.

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Boskalis Westminster

Our dredging and marine contractor in the UK.

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Dredging

For dredging and infrastructure related queries contact our Dredging department.

More about Boskalis

Building with Nature

Boskalis proactively developed Building with Nature to gain insight into the impact of hydraulic engineering projects on ecosystems.

Company profile

All about Boskalis - an overview of the company’s background, global presence, our activities, clients, and experts, and our vision for the future.

Careers

If you are interested in finding out more about what it is like to work for us, take a look at our dedicated Careers website. Here you will find our current vacancies, information about our traineeships, and much more.