IADC celebrates 50 years

The IADC was founded in 1965, when companies decided that the time had come to explain dredging’s benefits to society and the economic and social advantages to be gained from well-planned maritime infrastructure construction. The association brought together 60 participants of 38 international dredging contractors from 12 countries.

From the start, the group looked to promote fair trade practices and tendering processes, through soil investigations prior to a project and adherence to environmental standards.

It has since gone one to develop innovative ideas including new forms of contracts, early contractor involvement, investments in new environmentally sound technologies and support of research institutes such as EcoShape/Building with Nature.

In addition, the IADC pursues highly qualified personnel and encourages high education programmes in dredging. Safety has also become a central concern and is something the members are addressing together to create harmonised safety standards.

Today, the IADC members comprise the foremost private dredging companies and their 100 affiliates, and the goal remains the same: to reveal the benefits of dredging and the contribution the industry makes to the world community.

By Rachael Doyle