The SHOREWAY Dredger Protects the Netherlands from the North Sea

A Country vs. the Sea: The Dutch Fight for Land

For centuries, the Dutch have battled the sea, ultimately building one of the most reliable coastal protection systems in the world. A central element of this system is the Zandmotor Pilot Project — a man-made sandbar 2 km long and 1 km wide, located just south of The Hague.

Zandmotor project

This “Sand Motor” functions in a surprisingly simple way: waves and tides gradually carry the sand from the artificial peninsula toward the coast, forming a new natural shoreline. In this case, nature itself becomes the Dutch ally — waves help build the shore instead of destroying it.

SHOREWAY: At the Heart of Sand Defense

The SHOREWAY dredger, owned and operated by the Dutch marine engineering firm Van Oord, plays a vital role in constructing the Zandmotor. This technical marvel can hold around 5,600 cubic meters of sand and is equipped with powerful pumps capable of moving up to 200 tons per minute.

One of the most spectacular features of the vessel is its pressurized sand discharge, known in the industry as a “rainbow” — a high-arching stream of sand and water that allows for wide and even shoreline distribution.

Dredger Shoreway

Trailing suction hopper Dredger Shoreway — Technical Specifications

• Year built: 2009
• Displacement: 8,362 tons
• Length: 97.5 meters
• Beam: 21.6 meters
• Draft: from 7.1 to 12.5 meters
• Propulsion: Wärtsilä 6L26 diesel engine, 6,776 kW total
• Speed: 12.8 knots
• Hopper capacity: 5,600 m³
• Dredging depth: up to 33 meters
• Dredging rate: up to 109 tons/minute
• Sand discharge through 1-meter nozzles: up to 80 tons/minute

How the SHOREWAY Works

Locating the Sand Source

Using sonar buoys and survey data, the crew pinpoints an ideal seabed location.

Trailing suction hopper Dredger Shoreway

Dredging

The suction head touches the seafloor, where a strong jet of water loosens the sand. A powerful pump then sucks in a mixture of sand and seawater, known as slurry.

Water Removal

As the mixture enters the hopper, the sand settles, and excess water is drained through hydraulic overflow systems.

Transport and Unloading

Once fully loaded, the dredger sails toward the coast. Additional water is pumped into the hopper to liquefy the sand, which is then sprayed ashore under high pressure.

Zandmotor: A 50-Year Project

The Zandmotor project began in 2011, but the visible results — new, stable land — will take decades to form. Over the next 50 years, tides and winds will naturally carry sand inland, gradually building up dunes and new stretches of coastline.

To create just 1 square kilometer of artificial shoreline, engineers need to deposit over 21 million cubic meters of sand, which translates to up to 60,000 tons of seabed material per day.

Engineering on the Edge

Operating so close to shore poses significant risks. Fortunately, SHOREWAY is equipped with a bulbous bow with extra buoyancy, which keeps the vessel high in the water. Even when fully loaded, the ship’s draft is only 7 meters, allowing for safe navigation in shallow waters.

Nevertheless, hydrographers monitor the situation constantly — even the slightest miscalculation could cause the vessel to run aground.

The Cost of Protection: Decades and Millions

For the Dutch, Zandmotor is more than an engineering project — it is a long-term investment in safety, sustainability, and survival. This 50-year initiative provides peace of mind and protection from devastating storm surges.

The SHOREWAY dredger stands as a symbol of innovation and resilience — proof that engineering, science, and sheer determination can reshape the future of an entire nation.