Federation of Dredging Contractors
The current members of the Federation are:
Van Oord (UK) Ltd
Jan De Nul (UK) Ltd
Boskalis Westminster Ltd.
Dredging International
Rohde Nielsen UK
Land & Water Ltd
UK Dredging
Dutch Dredging b.v.
Historical notes
The Federation of Dredging Contractors was first formed at a meeting held in the offices of Hogg Bullimore at River Plate House, Finsbury Circus, in the City of London on Thursday 29th August 1946.
The original members at that time were: -
1. Harbour & General Works Ltd
2. James Dredging, Towage & Transport Co Ltd
3. K L Kalis, Sons & Co Ltd
4. Nash Dredging & Reclamation Co Ltd
5. The Dredging & Construction Co Ltd
6. Tilbury Dredging & Contracting Co Ltd
7. Westminster Dredging Co Ltd (now Boskalis Westminster Ltd)
Followed shortly after by: -
8. Britannia Dredging Co Ltd
9. HAM Dredging Ltd
By 1969 the ranks had been joined by: -
10. Sir Alfred McAlpine Zanen Dredging Co Ltd
11. Anglo Dutch Dredging Co Ltd
12. Intercontinental Dredging Co Ltd In 1970
13. Seven Seas Dredging Ltd
And in 1971
14. J Murphy & Sons Ltd
15. MB (Mears Bros) Dredging Co Ltd
By 1977 the Federation had acquired: -
16. Broekhoven Ltd
17. Costain Blankevoort Dredging Co Ltd
18. DOS (De Cloet Overseas) Dredging Co Ltd
19. Holland Dredging Co Ltd
20. PvW International Dredging & Harbour Works Ltd
21. Volker Dredging Ltd
...in more recent years the names have also included
22. Van Oord ACZ
23. Dredging International
24. Jan de Nul
25. Bilberg Dredging
...and lately
26. UK Dredging
27. Dutch Dredging b.v.
The prosperous years of the 70’s followed by the lean years of 80’s and 90’s saw a series of acquisitions and consolidations in the industry resulting in both changes of name and the disappearance of many company names.
The Secretariat remained with Hogg Bullimore in the City of London but moved in the 70’s to Chile House, Ropemaker Street until they became part of the Alliott Group based in Kingsway.
Chairmanship of the Federation was an honoured responsibility bestowed in strict company rotation. With membership of 12 or 14 companies the opportunity of chairmanship gave a respected position in the industry for many years.
Historically the Federation embarked on significant contractual guidance and legislative issues, for example specific Conditions of Contract (a Blue Book based on ICE 4th of the time) were drawn up to address Dredging and Reclamation works.
We have always been consulted by Government on new legislation and have been recognised as our industry’s voice in consultation.
We have maintained good relationships with Government bodies, Port Authorities, Private industry and Environmental groups, associated with the Marine, Port and Coastal Sectors.
We have provided a forum to meet industrial peers and discuss issues of mutual importance.