The Role of Marine Research for Future Dredging

The Role of Marine Research for Future Dredging Operations Mr. Marc Stordiau, President of the European Dredging Association

Trend in marine sand production (Combined beach nourishment + construction) m³ 25. 000 20. 000 15. 000 10. 000 5. 000 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Year

Recent Eu. DA support for innovation : • MAREBASSE - End-user • Master Plan R&D Maritime Industries Forum

Recent Eu. DA support for European programmes : • “Eurosion” study of coastal erosion • INTERREG project “Beach. Med”

External driving forces : Societal constraints : Climate change, sea level rise, coastal development. Environmental protection, sustainable development, safety + security. Technology push : ICT, remote sensing. Market pull : Innovation Increased aggregates demand, seabed mining, coastal protection methods, infrastructure at sea, renewable energies (offshore). in marine application Tools : Processes : • Vessels • Drilling • Cutting • • • Geotechnics Wave climate Energy transformation Sediment balance Morphodynamics

Needs : • Aggregate dredging • Maintenance dredging • Capital dredging • Infrastructure • Coastal protection

Conclusions : • Considerable scope for future marine / oceanographic research • Detailed programme by research community • Interaction and synergy between 5 disciplines to be stimulated • Need for large models requires international cooperation