Dredging and dumping

Maintenance of existing waterways and construction of new waterways require dredging, which involves removing sediment from the waterways and depositing it. Between 2008 and 2014, more than 1,000 billion tonnes (dry weight) were deposited in the OSPAR region (Northeast Atlantic and North Sea). In the Belgian part of the North Sea (BNS), 10.9 million tonnes (dry weight) were deposited in 2017. The ‘Thematic Chapter’ provides an overview of the scientific knowledge, socio-economic data and legal aspects of the user function ‘Dredging and dumping’ for the Belgian part of the North Sea. The situation of the dredging and dumping activities in the Scheldt estuary is dealt with in the thematic chapter 'Scheldt estuary'. The international regulations applicable to this activity are discussed in more detail under 'Legislation', while the figures and underlying data are made available interactively through 'Coastal Portal'. More information on the expertise available on dredging and dumping within the Belgian marine research groups and their relevant research infrastructure can be consulted by clicking  'Research groups' and 'Infrastructure', respectively.