New berths, marina infrastructure and flood protection measures have been completed at Zeebrugge Marina in Belgium, under a €19.1 million (approximately $22 million USD) redevelopment project led by the Flemish Agency for Maritime Services and Coast (MDK) in partnership with the City of Bruges.
Zeebrugge Marina is located on the North Sea coast and is considered a vulnerable point within the region’s coastal defence system, with studies finding that seawater can enter inland areas through the harbour during severe storm surges.
To address flood risks, MDK worked with the city and contractor Willemen to install protection measures around the marina. The work included new dyke walls and storm walls, along with mobile flood barriers that remain open under normal conditions and can be closed when severe weather is forecast.
The marina upgrade, completed in collaboration with contractor Artes Depret, included a new quay wall and a deepened Tijdok basin. At Albertdok, the existing piles were replaced, and new access steps and floating jetties were installed. Additional berths were also introduced through the installation of new steel tubular piles and jetties in both basins.
Flood defence walls, steps and ramps were installed along the quays and streets around the marina, including reinforced and embankment sections. Planting and green areas were added, with new trees near crossing points, along with seating, ramps and pedestrian access, while most parking spaces were retained.
The flood protection works were developed under the Flemish Government’s Coastal Safety Master Plan, with the Zeebrugge measures designed for protection until 2070, beyond the wider programme’s 2050 outlook.
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