Van Oord, a Dutch company with roots dating back to 1868, is one of the world’s leading dredging and marine-engineering contractors. Its Australian corporate heritage extends beyond projects undertaken under the Van Oord name, particularly through the Hollandsche Aanneming Maatschappij (HAM), which was involved in major dredging works at Kwinana in Western Australia during the early 1950s.
HAM subsequently became part of the Ballast Nedam group. In 2001, the dredging activities of HAM and Ballast Nedam were combined to form Ballast HAM Dredging. This brought together two important Dutch maritime engineering traditions and created one of the world’s major dredging contractors.
In 2003, Van Oord merged with Ballast HAM Dredging, incorporating HAM’s historical legacy into the expanded Van Oord group. This corporate development links the Dutch dredging expertise involved in Australia’s post-war industrial expansion with the large-scale maritime infrastructure projects undertaken by Van Oord in Australia today.
HAM and the development of Kwinana
One of the earliest major Australian projects within Van Oord’s later corporate heritage was undertaken by the Hollandsche Aanneming Maatschappij, generally known as HAM.
In 1952, HAM received an initial contract valued at approximately £2 million to dredge the approaches to Cockburn Sound in Western Australia. The work involved creating a channel through the Success and Parmelia banks to provide deep-water access for large tankers serving the new Anglo-Iranian Oil Company refinery at Kwinana.
Approximately seven million cubic yards—about 5.4 million cubic metres—of material were to be removed. The resulting channel was designed to accommodate vessels of approximately 40,000 tons.
HAM later became part of Ballast HAM Dredging. In 2003, Ballast HAM Dredging merged with Van Oord ACZ, bringing HAM’s organisation and historical experience into the modern Van Oord group. This does not mean that Van Oord itself received the original Kwinana contract, but it places the project within the history of one of its principal predecessor companies.
Read more: HAM and the creation of Kwinana—Dutch dredging expertise in Western Australia
Australian projects of national significance
Van Oord has been involved in multiple high-profile maritime works.
In 2011, Van Oord Australia partnered with Dredging International (Australia), part of the Belgian DEME Group, to undertake the Western Basin dredging programme at Gladstone, Queensland. The joint venture, known as VODI, was awarded contracts exceeding AUD 925 million for the development of shipping channels, turning basins and access to new LNG and coal export facilities. The completed Western Basin project involved the removal of approximately 22 million cubic metres of material between 2011 and 2013, according to Gladstone Ports Corporation. It was one of Australia’s major port-development projects of the period.
In 2008, Van Oord was responsible for the Brisbane Airport expansion project. The company dredged and reclaimed 2 million cubic metres of sand from Middle Banks to create a new runway platform. This €22 million contract directly contributed to Brisbane’s international aviation capacity.
Van Oord has delivered marine pipeline and trenching projects near Darwin, Western Australia, and in offshore gas fields. Their work has included shoreline approaches, rock installation, and seabed preparation for major energy infrastructure.
Sustainability and innovation
As part of its global vision, Van Oord is investing in hybrid and dual-fuel vessels to reduce emissions and increase efficiency. Safety and sustainability are integrated into every stage of its operations, reflecting the company’s long-standing commitment to responsible marine engineering.
Leadership in Queensland
Van Oord has maintained an Australian presence in Brisbane, reflecting Queensland’s importance to its port, airport and marine-infrastructure activities.
Kasper Kuiper has played an important role in Van Oord’s Australian operations and has also contributed to Dutch-Australian heritage and community relations. His broader story is told in a companion article: Kasper Kuiper—a Dutch mariner and community leader in Australia.
Van Oord’s Australian activities demonstrate the continuing relevance of Dutch maritime engineering expertise, extending a business tradition represented in Australia since at least the major HAM dredging works at Kwinana during the early 1950s.
With a permanent base in Brisbane, Van Oord represents the best of Dutch maritime expertise operating in Australia. Its contributions to Queensland’s port, airport, and marine infrastructure underline the continued relevance of Dutch engineering values in this part of the world.
For the wider history and related company, project and personal stories, see the Dutch dredging in Australia – Research Portal.
