Published on: 25 February 2026, 12:50 PM
Rijkswaterstaat is starting a tender for dredging works, including related activities, on the Main Waterway Lemmer Delfzijl (HLD). The works will take place from 2026 through 2029 and aim to bring the waterway to the correct depths for shipping class Va.
The maintenance needs and works to be carried out concern the entire length of the Main Waterway Lemmer Delfzijl (HLD). The exact maintenance needs are agreed annually in a Further Agreement (NOK), which includes the exact dredging locations and works.
Fourteen locations have been defined where dredging must take place with a volume of approximately 100,000 m3. Additionally, there is an annual regular dredging need. The expected total maintenance need over three years is approximately 180,000 to 200,000 m3.
Works on Main Waterway Lemmer-Delfzijl
The works include:
- performing freshwater dredging
- ‘re-digging’ acute shallow spots and erosion holes in the fairway
- filling erosion holes with released clay to prevent undermining of sheet piles
- removal of some known car wrecks and other obstructions
Project details
The HLD consists of three canals: the Prinses Margriet Canal, the Van Starkenborgh Canal and the Eemskanaal.
Before the transfer in 2014 to Rijkswaterstaat, the provinces Friesland and Groningen dredged the HLD to depth. The depth corresponds to the required depths for shipping class Va as stated in the Fairway Guidelines 2012 and 2020. The depth used for the loaded keel flat is 4.90 m below canal level.
Due to annual sedimentation and local (under)deepening at crossings, bends, fairway facilities and structures, there is a regular maintenance need. Additionally, fourteen extra locations have been added where dredging must take place in the short term.
Tender registration
Interested market parties can register until Thursday 12 March 2026 via TenderNed . The full tender planning can also be found on this page.