![]() In addition to the economic growth purely based on the increase in population, an additional increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is predicted over the next few decades for many countries. These demographic developments are having an impact on the need for goods and services. Dredging also meets the demand of coastal populations for more beach protection against floods and other health and safety concerns. More people living along the coast also means increased vulnerability for human life and property. Innovative dredging technologies have made it feasible to reclaim sand to build new land adjacent to existing urban areas or islands near the coast at reasonable cost. This coastal urbanisation creates a need for more land for residential, employment and recreational facilities. Coastal developmentĪccording to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the current world population of 7.3 billion is expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Ironically this means that both coastal development and coastal protection are necessities. About half the world’s population lives within 200 kilometres of a coastline and climate change has increased the risk of flooding and vulnerability of these populations. Worldwide population growth also contributes to the increased demand for dredging. Once established, these waterways continue to require regular maintenance dredging. Access channels and turning basins need to be dredged to provide appropriate water depths along waterside facilities. Nonetheless, few ports are naturally deep and most modern ports, given the increasing size of container vessels, require investment in capital dredging. Waterborne transport has been proven time and time again to be economically viable and environmentally preferable to overland transport.
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