Coastal Delivery

IJsselmeerdijk starts on the lake side, with conventional dike work to follow

Published 4 September 2026 Publisher IMWO Region Europe Confidence Confirmed
Conceptual IJsselmeerdijk foreshore protection for Zuiderzeeland by Boskalis and Van Oord, with lake, wave-attenuating dam, shallow reed zone and existing dike

IMWO original IJsselmeerdijk schematic from dated Zuiderzeeland and PAGW documents; announced scope, not an approved design or measured construction output

The Boskalis and Van Oord combination has begun IJsselmeerdijk realization with lake-side foreshore works, according to Zuiderzeeland. Its announced scope separates approximately 12 km of foreshore protection from 5 km of conventional reinforcement.

The first workfront is between Maxima and Ketelbrug

Boskalis and Van Oord's IJsselmeerdijk combination has begun realization of the reinforcement programme, according to the owner's account republished by PAGW on 3 September. The first workfront is the foreshore between the Maxima power station and Ketelbrug. Conventional reinforcement of the existing dike between Flevokust Haven and the power station is expected to start in early 2027. These are different workfronts and schedules within the same defence programme.

The programme combines two defence treatments

The announced scope divides roughly 17 km into around 12 km of lake-side foreshore protection and 5 km of conventional dike measures. The foreshore incorporates a wave-attenuating dam with a partly shallow-water and reed zone behind it. The remaining section includes dike raising and replacement of exterior revetment. This establishes the engineering division; it does not report constructed lengths, accepted hydraulic performance or a final as-built section. Marine supply and land access connect the two workfronts. The dated mobility study identifies nautical logistics and traffic interfaces, including material handling around Flevokust and access for other lake users. Its tonnage, vessel-frequency and plant dimensions are planning assumptions, not a delivery tally or an announced vessel fleet. The February 2024 phasing is expressly not a definitive execution programme. Any commercial estimate should preserve those qualifications.

Evidence conclusion

Contract stages and execution evidence need separate records

The procurement history also has distinct stages. The June 2025 owner announcement described a credit decision and provisional selection. Its statement that appeals were still running belongs to that announcement, not an assessment of their September 2026 status. A later owner statement reports a signed contract and definitive execution award. The subsequent kickoff therefore should not be described as a fresh award to an unidentified contractor. Lake-side delivery and unloading, other lake users and land access connect the two workfronts. Production rates and accepted protection require dated delivery statistics and acceptance records, neither disclosed in these announcements. The existing dike is described as currently safe; reinforcement addresses future standards.

Outstanding evidence

  • Dated execution schedules for separate lake-side and conventional packages
  • Identified material delivery, unloading and navigation arrangements
  • Reported quantities and accepted protection performance
  • Access arrangements at the worksite and temporary dike crossing

Related records 1

Subject index

Related subjects

These subject pages bring together related projects, technical articles, reports, and evidence methods.

Sources used 4

Source collections