Posted on September 28, 2026
The 1980s were a defining decade in DEME’s history. While landmark projects such as the dredging works for the Liefkenshoek Tunnel, the development of Laem Chabang Port in Thailand and the first steps toward offshore wind demonstrated the growing breadth of our expertise, DEME was also making its mark in another field: complex salvage operations.
The recovery of the Mont Louis in 1984 and the Herald of Free Enterprise in 1987 showcased how dredging know-how, heavy lifting and innovative marine engineering could be combined to tackle extraordinary challenges at sea. These projects not only pushed technical boundaries but also helped lay the foundations for DEME’s leading role in offshore energy construction today.
Read the full stories here: https://150yearsofdeme.com
