MARINE CIVILS

More Dutch flood defence contracts

6 years ago

Dutch contractor Royal Boskalis Westminster has been award two more dyke strengthening contracts in Holland as part of a major programme of flood defence work writes Dag Pike.

These two new contracts relate to work along the banks of the River Ijssel to the east of Rotterdam and to other reinforcement work close to where the River Issel joins the Niewe Merde that flows through Rotterdam. The total value of these two contracts is in the region of €200 million.

The largest of the two contracts relates to a 30km stretch of the river between the towns of Zwolle and Olst which will protect the residents of the Salland region of Holland from flooding from both the river itself and from the Isselmeer into which the river flows. This work is being carried out for the Drents Overijsselse Delta Water Board.

The second contract is for dyke strengthening and raising of the Ijssel Dyke along a 10km length of river near Krimpenerwaard. This work is being carried out on behalf of the Schieland and Krimpenerwaard Water Board and is designed to improve the protection against high water and flooding of the Hollandsche Ijssel River and will help to protect 200,000 residents and businesses in the region. This project will be carried out in a joint venture with Van Hattum en Blankevoort.

Both of these projects will include a plan development phase and an execution phase with the combined operation extending through to 2026. Boskalis has developed considerable expertise in the strengthening and raising of the dykes in Holland and is actively involved in a work programme developed by the National Flood Protection Programme. The company is currently working with partners to strength the Markermeer Dykes and has recently completed work on the reinforcement of the Houtrib and Wadden Sea Dykes.

The low-lying Netherlands is currently undertaking major works to improve its flood defences and its resilience to the challenge of climate change and the prospect of rising sea levels. History has demonstrated the country’s vulnerability to sea level rises and Boskalis claims to be using its unique expertise and ground-breaking activities to contribute to this programme of improving flood resilience.