Long-Term Maintenance Dredging Contracting Procedures in Belgium

Category:

Operating Procedures

The Ministry of Flemish Community (Belgium) dredges approximately 80 to 100 million m3

Description:

annually from the River Schelde. Most of the material is placed back into the river in several

designated sites. To accomplish this massive dredging operation, the ministry enters into

maintenance contracts for 7 to 9 years. The contract requires simultaneous deployment of 5

hopper dredges, 3 sweep beams, 1 oil remover, 1 cutterhead suction, 1 backhoe, and 1 bucket

dredger. Payment is provided through bin measurement using an equation developed by the

ministry. To track operations, the ministry has developed a dredge information system that

provides real-time feedback on key performance parameters such as location, depth of cut,

mixture concentration, and several other components of the operation to determine how, where,

and what the dredge operator is doing. Weekly surveys are conducted by the ministry to

determine assignments for the various dredges working for the ministry at that time. The

information system is then employed to determine compliance with the prescribed program.

Management and analyses of dredge operations are real-time and are continuously updated by

the ministry. The contractor is paid by bin measurement and distance to placement location.

Current costs are estimated at $3.50 to 4.00/m3 (U.S.).

Reviewer:

N. McLellan

Company / Organization(s):

Projects Completed:

River Schelde

Location:

Antwerp, Belgium

Completion Date:

Ongoing

Information Sources:

Interviews:

Interviewee:

Hugo Belmans, Inspector General

Interviewer:

Bob Hopman, Neil McLellan

Interview Date:

7/22/98

Interview Location:

Antwerp, Belgium

Field Investigations: Location:

Antwerp, Belgium

Date:

7/22/98

Photos:

Yes

Photo Location:

Hartman Consulting Corporation, Bellevue, WA

Chapter 5 Other Technologies Reviewed