Technically speaking, dredging is the relocation of underwater sediments and soils for the construction and maintenance of waterways, dikes and transportation infrastructures and for reclamation and soil improvements. Dredging is vital to social and economic development. In particular, to the construction and the maintenance of much of the infrastructure upon which our economic prosperity and social well-being depend. Just think of some of the most impressive infrastructure projects in progress: The building of a completely new port. The broadening and deepening of a harbour or access channel and maintaining these at the required depth. The cleaning of a polluted river or lake. An expansive new bridge, or tunnel under construction. A popular beach being replenished. A jeopardized coastline being protected against storms and tides. The erection of an off-shore drilling platform. Oil and gas pipelines or sub-sea communication cables being laid over thousands of kilometres. Or even the creation of a totally new airport, its runways on reclaimed land extending out into the sea, so air traffic will least affect residential areas.
What do most of these large-scale earth-and-water infrastructure projects have in common? The answer is simple: the work is being done, in total or in part, by one or more members of IADC.
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| Skunk cabbage, a typical wetlands plant. |
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