Van Oord successfully completed sand replenishment work on the beaches of Noord-Beveland, in the province of Zeeland, as part of the Dutch Coastline Care program. This intervention, commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, involved the dumping of one million cubic meters of sand both on the Banjaard beach and in adjacent areas, using the dredge Vox Apolonia powered exclusively by bio-based liquefied natural gas (bio-LNG).
Bio-GNL in coastal dredging
One of the most innovative aspects of the project was the use of bio-GNLs. use of bio-LNG instead of conventional fossil fuels. This choice is in line with Van Oord’s climate objectives, whose goals have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Thanks to the company’s own Green Fuels Fund, it is facilitating access to cleaner energy sources and reducing the environmental impact of its operations.
Rijkswaterstaat has established minimum sustainability criteria in its public contracts, incentivizing contractors that integrate clean technologies. Van Oord responded with an efficient and climate-responsible technical solution, demonstrating how the maritime sector can reduce its carbon footprint without compromising operational efficiency.
Beyond Noord-Beveland: upcoming projects
This work is part of an ongoing effort to preserve the coastline of the Netherlands against erosion and rising sea levels. By 2026, Van Oord will continue this type of work on the beaches of Goeree-Westkop and Heemskerk, strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable maritime works. With each new operation, the company reaffirms its commitment to coastal engineering compatible with the global energy transition.
The use of the Vox Apolonia dredger, equipped to operate with alternative fuels, demonstrates how technical innovation can be integrated into large-scale environmental solutions. The experience gained in Noord-Beveland sets a valuable precedent for future coastal protection projects in Europe and beyond.
Source and photo: Van Oord