PROGRESS TO DATE

ERDC TN-DOER-T1

February 2000

Determine benefits and costs.

Demonstrate the equipment and techniques showing potential for adoption.

Recommend implementation of the most promising technologies for Corps use.

Transfer Corps-accepted technologies to stakeholders.

PROGRESS TO DATE: Identification of foreign and domestic commercial technologies was

completed under contract in April 1999. Problems associated with the maintenance and construction

of navigation channels are resolved in the European community by iterative procedures, and

progress is influenced according to regulation, funding, economics, government input, technical

capability, and public perceptions. The European community has developed solutions for technical

and management problems based on local influences. It is possible to identify, implement, and/or

integrate these solutions for Corps dredging operations after investigating, documenting, and

reviewing them in relation to Corps dredging program needs.

A series of site visits were made to institutions, dredge contractors, port authorities, and project sites

in Belgium, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Germany. Several types of operations were

reviewed and investigated: project management, equipment innovations, and specialty projects

designed and built to resolve specific issues associated with waterways. The largest number of

innovations identified in these visits is associated with dredge plant and equipment. Europeans have

built many of the dredge plants used throughout the world. With the increase of large-scale

reclamation and new channel projects, the demand for new dredging equipment has increased.

During the construction of this new equipment, component designs and uses have been continuously

upgraded to meet the demand.

A final report was prepared under contract with the information gathered from various sources in

several countries. The report serves as a comprehensive and convenient reference on the innovative

dredging technologies currently available around the world with emphasis on European applica-

tions. Of several hundred documents and technologies researched pertaining to innovative technol-

ogy and procedure, eleven were identified for detailed review as having relevance to present and

future long-term needs of the Corps.

DEVELOPMENTS IN EUROPEAN DREDGING AND CHANNEL MAINTENANCE: High-

lights of a variety of dredging and channel maintenance innovations within the European commu-

nities are discussed in the following paragraphs.

Project Management:

Project management differs drastically among the different countries visited. In the United King-

dom, port authorities are responsible for all aspects of construction and maintenance of navigational

channels. Ports either own dredges or contract out for waterway maintenance, which includes

funding, management and implementation. In the Netherlands and Belgium, responsibilities are

shared among the ports, government, and private industry. Management and payment vary based

on the channel project and government policy, and most of the work is accomplished through

contract dredging.