In 2016-2017, we were responsible for the widening of the Eemshaven-North Sea fairway. During that first widening, we also constructed Vogelbroedeiland Eemshaven and the Marconi Kwelderland Delfzijl. We are currently carrying out a multi-year maintenance contract to keep the Eems channel at depth.
The work, “Widening of Fairway Eemshaven-North Sea / Marconi Salt Marsh Landscape Delfzijl,” commissioned by the Department of Public Works, included the widening of approximately 42 km of fairway between Eemshaven and the North Sea, the construction of a bird nesting island near Nieuwstad and a salt marsh landscape in Delfzijl.
Energy Independence
Among other things, Eemshaven is important for the supply and transit of fuels, fulfilling a crucial role in European energy independence. This is why we deepened the Eems channel in 2018 to provide access for ships with a maximum draught of 14 m. Widening the channel has improved the accessibility of Eemshaven and enabled the further development of Eemshaven as an energy port.
“Deepening was necessary to supply the power plants at Eemshaven. With this deepening, larger ships can reach Eemshaven.“
Benno Beimers | Nautical Advisor Rijkswaterstaat
Reuse of material
Some of the soil material released from the Ems trench has been highly reused. For example, a portion was used for the construction of the bird nesting island near Eemshaven. Another part has been used for the salt marsh landscape near Delfzijl.
To protect this salt marsh landscape, we constructed a crushed stone dam and bank over a length of about 2 km. We also used some of the sand for other projects in the region such as a beach nourishment near Borkum and covering cables and pipes on the seabed.
Vogelbroedeiland
Step 1 was the realization of the earthwork for the Vogelbroedeiland Eemshaven. This was followed by continuing with the installation of a crushed stone revetment on the outside of the island. Now that the island is in place, it is being used as a nesting site for pioneer breeding birds such as Common terns, Arctic terns and Ringed plovers.
Marconi salt marsh landscape
In Delfzijl, the Marconi salt marsh landscape has been realized through the pressing of sand. This salt marsh landscape, with a total area of about 50 ha, has both an ecological and recreational function.
Maintenance of fairway
Since the end of 2023, we have been carrying out the multi-year maintenance of the Eemsgeul on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat. The Eems channel is the access route to Eemshaven, the largest seaport in the Northern Netherlands. Since the arrival of the LNG terminal, the port also plays a crucial role in European energy independence.
“Because the Ems channel is suitable for large ships, an LNG terminal could also be developed at Eemshaven in a relatively short time in 2022. So keeping this connection navigable is vital for European energy independence,” said Benno Beimers | nautical advisor Rijkswaterstaat.
Sustainability
To contribute to Rijkswaterstaat’s sustainability goal, we were challenged as contractors to make an offer that was attractive on both sustainability and price. Rijkswaterstaat aims to continuously reduce environmental costs, including reductions in CO2 emissions, nitrogen emissions and energy consumption.
For the Ems channel contract, for example, the maximum allowable environmental cost has been reduced 20% from the previous contract.
Already during construction, the Charlock was equipped with an SCR installation (a catalyst that captures nitrogen oxides). We also use this catalyst during the work on the Ems channel and we sail in eco-mode. This has significantly reduced fuel consumption while maintaining the same production level.
“The sustainability requirements of the Department of Public Works have encouraged us to minimize fuel consumption even further. The vessel we deploy, the Charlock, was built in 2016 and certified as a ‘Clean Ship’.”
Jan Huijbers | Director of Van den Herik