COVE’s Post

𝐀𝐡𝐨𝐲, 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬!⛵ Get ready to sail back in time and uncover the history of Van Oord, a Dutch family-owned company with over 150 years of experience as an international marine contractor. Picture this: a tale that begins with humble origins and sails towards commanding the market. Van Oord has consistently stood at the helm of extraordinary engineering feats, shaping the world's landscapes and tapping into the sea's potential for clean energy and climate adaptation. Our trademark is marine ingenuity, igniting the passion within our talented team. It's this very innovation that propels us forward, driving us to create a better world for future generations. But for the moment, let's allow the currents of history to carry us, as we honor our heritage and unite in the spirit of innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, spirit and perseverance displayed by our predecessors and all our employees today. 𝗧𝗼 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 #𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟬 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟵𝟴𝟯, 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝟰𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗼. On that day, the first concrete pillar of the Eastern Scheldt Barrier (Oosterscheldekering) was placed, which Van Oord helped to build. The Eastern Scheldt Barrier is the largest and most renowned of the Delta works. The 9 kilometer long storm surge barrier closes off the Eastern Scheldt and protects the Netherlands in the event of imminent high water. The 65 colossal pillars of the dam support the doors that move up and down to open and close the storm surge barrier. The original design of the dam was actually completely closed-off, but this meant that the river behind the barrier would lose its salt water, ruining the existing ecosystem and life around the Eastern Scheldt River. For this reason, it was decided to work with a barrier that would close only in emergencies, preserving the nature and life in the water. With a growing environmental awareness in the '80s, Van Oord was part of this enormous project that took nature and the preservation into consideration. While learning from the past, Van Oord keeps building with nature! The 65 pillars of the dam were carried by the heavy-lifting vessel Ostrea (pictured). This vessel was able to carry over 10,000 tons! After the Delta works, it was hard to find a place for such a unique vessel and eventually it was dismantled. However, it was not wasted, parts of the Ostrea were re-used in our very own Svanen, the iron lady that is still in full force today! 👑 #VanOord #Heritage #throwbackthursday #history #deltaworks #ingenuity #climateadaptation

Last week, during a field trip to Keppel Bay (for a course by my favourite Shawn Lum), I came across a pleasant surprise - a thriving mini reef teeming with life amidst docked boats in Singapore! Spot Sea Urchins and Corals in the Video. Keppel Bay is indeed a fascinating story, a testament to the power of thoughtful planning and nature's resilience. The developers here prioritised restoring what was taken away. This philosophy led to several key decisions: Cable-Stayed Bridge: Choosing a costlier bridge design that allows for better water flow, bringing vital nutrients and plankton to the ecosystem. Granite Seawalls: Investing in rougher surfaces to encourage marine larvae attachment, fostering a thriving underwater community. Biofiltration Techniques: Utilizing floating sea-bins to filter debris and maintain water clarity, crucial for coral health. These choices, along with responsible management practices like fishing bans and sewage control, have yielded impressive results. Keppel Bay boasts over 150 marine species, including endangered creatures like spotted eagle rays and hawksbill turtles. Takeaways? With adequate support Nature can heal itself. While Profit and Planet can co-exist! You can read more in this The Straits Times article where Alvin Lok, the operational performance manager of Marina at Keppel Bay talks about it in detail (https://lnkd.in/gAq_24q3). Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments! #Singapore #UrbanReefs #ClimateChange #Sustainability #ProfitandPlanet

We convened a team meeting to delve into the various ways in which A² Maritime can contribute to waterfront developments and to discuss the challenges to steer clear of. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of how to optimize the integration of the water interface into the development, harness the full potential of existing assets, and introduce recreational opportunities, we can help developers substantially enhance property values, elevate the long-term benefits for end-users, and simultaneously reduce capital expenditure. A well-integrated waterfront also streamlines the often cumbersome regulatory processes by, for example, helping achieve the required biodiversity net gain for the development (the point being discussed in the accompanying image).

The Maya Train project, a massive infrastructure endeavor by Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has been a subject of considerable controversy, particularly for its environmental implications. Set to connect tourist hotspots like Cancún and Playa del Carmen to the dense jungles and remote archaeological sites of the Yucatan Peninsula, the project is said to be a boon for rural economic development. However, this comes at an incredible ecological cost. The Yucatan Peninsula is home to a unique and fragile system of subterranean caverns, rivers, lakes, and freshwater sinkholes known as cenotes. These natural wonders are not just tourist attractions; they are integral to the region's water supply and are steeped in rich geological history. The construction of the Maya Train, which involves the embedding of thousands of steel pillars into these limestone caverns, has caused significant damage. Stalactites have been broken off, and the water has shown traces of iron pollution, indicating a disturbing level of environmental degradation. The urgency of these concerns cannot be overstated. The cenotes and associated aquifers are delicate ecosystems that took millions of years to form. They are the main water source for the region and are connected to the Caribbean Sea, meaning any contamination could have far-reaching impacts. The project has also led to the destruction of vast stretches of forest, which are second only to the Amazon in size within the Americas. The approach to the Maya Train's construction has been criticized for its haste and lack of transparency. The Mexican government has been accused of sidestepping environmental impact studies, dodging oversight, and ignoring court orders, raising serious questions about the undermining of democratic institutions. As we face a global environmental crisis, the situation with the Maya Train serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between development and conservation. It's a call to action for sustainable infrastructure planning that respects and preserves our natural heritage. The Maya Train project is a cautionary tale of how the rush for economic development can potentially lead to irreversible ecological damage. It's a reminder that progress should not come at the expense of the environment, and that we must prioritize the protection of our planet's natural wonders for future generations. #MayaTrain #Cenotes #EnvironmentalConservation

There is no standard for measuring success of coral relocation and restoration and this study propose alignment with international ecological restoration standards for all practitioners https://lnkd.in/g6_WteHh

Innovative decarbonising of the conservation system for the world's first iron ship jointly wins Sustainable Project of the Year The SS Great Britain Trust's innovative decarbonising of the conservation system for the world's first iron ship has jointly won Sustainable Project of the Year at the Museums + Heritage Awards. In 1970 the SS Great Britain was salvaged and returned to the original Bristol dry dock where the ship had been constructed, creating a historically important site. The combination of early raw iron materials, Bristol's damp climate, and the ship's life at sea meant that the original iron was corroding much faster than anticipated. Between 1997 and 2005 a unique conservation system was developed to conserve the ship as a piece of engineering and global communication history. The Voyage to Carbon Neutral project has drastically reduced the conservation system’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions, paving the way for carbon-neutral conservation by 2030. Read more here https://lnkd.in/em-6SuhH #netzero #maritime #socsea24 #marine #maritimeconnection Heritage Lottery Fund National Historic Ships UK

The Rio Grande Futures Model assesses its performance under different scenarios. With 29 indicators like flow, species diversity, and air quality, the Upper Rio Grande got a "C" grade. Let's work together for its health and sustainability! 🌊💙 #RiverReportCard

Like everywhere around the world, Germany's coastal regions are facing a significant challenge known as the coastal squeeze. As sea levels rise, existing dike structures prevent wetlands from migrating inland, leading to potential loss of crucial wetland areas in Niedersachsen and Schleswig-Holstein. This phenomenon threatens the delicate balance of our coastal ecosystems. ⁉Understanding Coastal Squeeze: Coastal squeeze occurs when rising sea levels and coastal development restrict the dynamic envelope—the natural zone for coastal habitats to adjust and migrate. This leads to habitat loss, reduced biodiversity, and compromised natural defenses.   ✅ Dragør Project: A Case Study in Nature-Based Solutions ▪ The innovative Dragør project in Denmark demonstrates effective strategies to mitigate coastal squeeze: - Nature-Based Coastal Defenses: Dragør employs absorbent borders, allowing natural water absorption and transition from land to sea. - Redesigned Dikes: These dikes integrate flood protection with scenic and ecological functions, enhancing both safety and environmental health. - Waterscapes: Incorporating temporary and permanent waterscapes to manage rainwater, this project respects the area's cultural and historical aspects.   While AquaRockBag® is not part of the Dragør project, at Internationale Geotextil GmbH (IGG), we align with these nature-based solutions. Our products support the dynamic envelope, ensuring coastal habitats can thrive.   ▪ Why It Matters: - Biodiversity: Protecting vital habitats for various species. - Natural Defenses: Maintaining natural buffers against storm surges and erosion. - Carbon Sequestration: Preserving coastal ecosystems that act as significant carbon sinks.   ▪ Our Call to Action: - Support Conservation: Engage with organizations dedicated to coastal habitat preservation. - Promote Sustainability: Advocate for development practices that respect the dynamic envelope. - Raise Awareness: Educate others about the importance of coastal ecosystems and the threats they face.   By learning from projects like Dragør Kommune, we can ensure our coastlines remain resilient and vibrant for future generations.   #coastalsqueeze #dynamicenvelope #sustainability #erosioncontrol #climatechange #conservation #biodiversity COWI - Arkitema - BBC StoryWorks - C40 Cities   Learn more about the Dragør project:  https://lnkd.in/eiMVKvMM Learn more about AquaRockBag®: https://aquarockbag.eu/ Watch the short film 🔻

For Restoration of City Park Pio Gama Pinto plays a vital Role.

Government plans to construct new 'full-service' marinas in new strategic vision #MaltaMarinas #MarinaDevelopment #StrategicVision #MaltaDevelopment #BoatingNews #FullServiceMarinas #NauticalPlanning #MaritimeGrowth #YachtingInternationalRadio