Posted on May 26, 2025
Rotterdam, the Netherlands – Van Oord has signed a new, 3-year contract with the UK Environment Agency to continue beach nourishment works along the Lincolnshire coastline. During the course of the contract, 3 annual campaigns of beach nourishment will be undertaken between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point.
As a result of this award, Van Oord will continue the crucial works that commenced in the mid-1990s and that Van Oord has been undertaking continuously since 2015 to better protect the coastline against erosion. In addition to reducing flood risk, the works bring supplementary social and economic benefits by retaining the sandy beaches for a vibrant tourism industry.
To support the sustainability ambitions of the Environment Agency and Van Oord, LNG-powered trailing suction hopper dredgers will be used to undertake the works, with support from land-based equipment that either uses biofuels or is hybrid electric powered.
‘I am delighted and proud that the Environment Agency has again chosen Van Oord as its partner to protect the Lincolnshire coastline for the next 3 years. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with them to defend this important section of coastline, whilst both engaging the local community and developing innovative solutions to further reduce carbon emissions.’
— Paul Hesk, Managing Director, Van Oord UK Ltd.
An important element of the project is a focus on community engagement. The Van Oord project team will use a variety of innovative tools to engage with the local community and schools, increasing awareness of coastal defences and beach protection. This will include a Public Information Unit, educational videos, as well as an interactive communication platform, hosted by Hello Lamp Post, that utilises AI to facilitate engagement with the public through signage along the coast.
Award for considerate construction
The previous campaign conducted in 2024 by the Environment Agency and Van Oord was recognised with a Gold Award by the UK’s Considerate Constructors Scheme for its outstanding achievements in respecting the local community, caring for the environment and valuing its workforce.
