Public Works and Water Management has improved the shipping channel to Schiermonnikoog. Over the past 4 weeks, significant work has been done to realign the channel, ensuring it better fits the natural flow and seabed development in the Wadden Sea.
The work has been completed faster than planned. Thanks to favorable weather conditions and efficient execution, the contractor combination Van der Kamp/De Boer was able to bring the channel to the correct depth and width within 4 weeks.
As a result, the required dredging volume was lower than expected. On June 11, 2025, the buoyage was realigned and the current navigational data was processed. Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten will start operating via the new route from today.
Less Dredging Work
The new positioning of the channel better aligns with the natural movement of water and sediment in the Wadden area. As a result, the channel will remain at depth longer, and less dredging work will be required. This aligns with the ambitions of the Agenda for the Wadden Area 2050 and the N2000-Wadden Sea Management Plan: less disturbance of the seabed and reduced emissions of CO2 and nitrogen, due to fewer shipping movements of dredging vessels needed.
We expect that dredging work at Glinder will decrease by about 50%.
Final Maintenance
In the coming weeks, additional maintenance will be carried out. Due to the steep edges of the new channel, natural shifts will occur. A crew boat will monitor and maintain the shipping channel. These activities fall under regular maintenance work.
Manager of Wadden Sea Shipping Routes
Public Works and Water Management is responsible for managing the shipping routes in the Wadden Sea. In this dynamic area, there is a lot of movement of both water and sediment. Channels and therefore shipping routes in the Wadden Sea constantly shift due to this natural dynamism. We map this, study the developments, adjust the buoyage, and ensure with the contractor that the shipping channels remain at an agreed width and target depth.