Kasper Kuiper was born in Groningen in 1938. He has had an extraordinary career in maritime construction and community service, reflecting a lifelong dedication to the Dutch maritime tradition and its contributions to Australia. From large-scale international dredging projects to his leadership in maritime heritage, professional societies, and seafarer welfare, Kasper has made a lasting impact.
From HAM to Australia: a global maritime career
Kasper began his maritime career in 1974 with the Hollandse Aannemers Maatschappij (HAM) in the Netherlands, working on beach replenishment at Scheveningen. From there, his early assignments took him across the world: India, Singapore, and in 1975 to Saudi Arabia, where he joined the eight billion dollar port construction at Damman.
In 1979, Kasper joined Ballast Nedam, one of the major Dutch civil engineering firms, and was sent to Kuwait to work on the construction of the Kuwait Naval Base. In 1980, he arrived in Australia for the first time to work on the Brisbane Airport expansion, remaining there until 1983. After returning to the Netherlands, he contributed to the Eastern Scheldt flood barrier project, a world-renowned feat of Dutch engineering.
Kasper’s next overseas assignment brought him to Western Australia, where he worked in Dampier on the Peko Mining project, deepening and widening the harbour entrance and swing basin. He later returned to the Netherlands for work at the Maasvlakte and Port of Rotterdam, and from there was posted to Aveiro, Portugal, to help construct a new container port that would shorten shipping links between Portugal and Spain via rail.
In 1985, Kasper migrated permanently to Australia, continuing his work on coastal and harbour projects. He was involved in beach nourishment on the Gold Coast and in Nouméa, and later worked on major dredging assignments including the Woodside 12-mile channel, Port Hedland, and swing basins for LNG shipping access.
In more recent years, Kasper worked as a freelance consultant and collaborated with firms such as Van Oord, Jan de Nul, and Dredging International. He has provided maritime engineering and dredging advice to Queensland port authorities for nearly two decades. His consulting work has also extended to shipping companies including Vroon, Spliethoff, and formerly the HAM group. Kasper remains active in the industry today, continuing to offer expertise in offshore reclamation and dredging—fields he has helped shape for nearly 50 years.
Maritime heritage and the Duyfken Foundation
For over 25 years, Kasper was actively involved in the Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation, serving as vice chairman and director. Alongside Graham Cocks, he helped deliver significant outcomes for the foundation and was a longstanding sponsor, committed to honouring the historical connection between the Netherlands and Australia. His support was driven, in his own words, “with all my heart and soul”.
Commitment to the seafaring community
Kasper has been a member of the Company of Master Mariners of Australia for over 33 years. He served as branch master of the Queensland division for more than 20 years and remains active as branch master elect. He is a strong advocate for safety, training, and professional support for Australian mariners.
In addition, Kasper has devoted many years to volunteering with the Mission to Seafarers, supporting international crew members who often work under challenging conditions. He has helped provide them with transport, social support, and access to basic comforts during their brief stays in port—a cause he considers both humanitarian and deeply personal.
From 1993 to 2018, Kasper held the position of Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Queensland, fostering diplomatic, cultural, and business ties between the Netherlands and Australia for over 25 years.
Conclusion
Kasper Kuiper’s career spans continents, industries, and communities. From dredging ports in Europe and the Middle East to shaping Australia’s modern harbours, and from heritage preservation to seafarer welfare, his work reflects the best of Dutch maritime professionalism and compassion. His legacy is both technical and human—and his contributions continue to inspire in Australia and beyond.
