European Marine Sand and Gravel Group

Future events

Sand and sustainability in the marine sector

 Wednesday 4 October 2023

 This webinar will feature a series of engaging presentations, headlined by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), focused on sand and sustainability within the marine aggregates sector. Following the launch of UNEPs report on the topic in 2022, expert speakers will discuss the wider industry response one year on, featuring guest presentations from the European Marine Sand and Gravel Group (EMSAGG) and its network.

 

Past events

Managing unexploded ordnance (UXO) in marine environments

 Thursday 29 September 2022

Gain insight into the management of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from a marine aggregate's perspective. This webinar is supported by the European Marine Sand and Gravel Group (EMSAGG).

Marine resource mapping in the UK and Europe

Thursday 18 November 2021

A webinar providing insight into marine resource mapping in the UK and European waters, supported by the European Marine Sand and Gravel Group (EMSAGG). Marine experts will share their experiences with the marine resource mapping process, highlighting how engaging with authorities has provided methods to sustainably manage resources and the different resource mapping methods used across Europe. 

Marine spatial planning - an EMSAGG webinar

Wednesday 28 April 2021

EMSAGG has worked to identify developments and information needs for the marine sand and gravel constituents concerning all aspects of the industry across Europe. It is widely recognised that resource availability is a challenge in the marine and gravel industry, and as a result, marine spatial plans are regularly adjusted. 

Global resource demand on marine sand & gravel EMSAGG event

Friday 11 December 2020, Webinar

EMSAGG has worked to identify developments and information needs for the marine sand and gravel constituents concerning all aspects of the industry across Europe. As it is recognised that resource demand is not simply an issue across Europe, EMSAGG have coordinated with industry representatives to give a broad perspective of the global situation.

Download the event presentations

EMSAGG - Knowledge sharing workshop - DENMARK

Friday 22 March 2019, Copenhagen, Denmark

For 20 years, EMSAGG workshops have been hosted in different European countries. This workshop will consider the demand and sources of marine aggregate and their sustainable extraction. Workshops are focussed on the host country, but also include presentations on policies and practices in relation to marine sand and gravel extraction across Europe.

Download the event presentations. 

Marine sand & gravel - beyond the horizon, 28 & 29 June 2018, Southampton, UK, 

28 and 29 June 2018, Southampton, UK
The European marine sand and gravel sector has made considerable progress in terms of environmental and technical performance over the past 25 years. This conference will provide an insight into how the sector is responding to client needs.

Download the event presentations. 

Marine Sand and gravel - Research and Practice

16 November 2017, Cork, Ireland
This free to attend event will provide delegates with an opportunity to approaches to marine dredging in UK and relevant policy and legislation in Ireland. It will also provide delegates the opportunity to meet and share experience with EMSAGG members from Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium. There will also be an opportunity to have a tour of the facilities at the Centre for Marine and renewable technology. 



Marine sand and gravel: planning, data, evidence and licencing
18 November 2016, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP
This event looked at the importance of data sets and evidence to protect environmental and other interests in granting extraction licences for sand and gravel.

Download the presentations.


Reclamation and other uses of marine aggregate
22 April 2016, Gdansk, Poland
This EMSAGG seminar examined the role of marine aggregate for reclamation works, coastal re-nourishment projects, and other uses outside the construction industry.

Download the presentations.
Download the event report from the CIRIA website (under briefings). 


Marine sand and gravel - finding common ground
4-5 June 2015, Delft, the Netherlands
The conference highlighted recent developments in the dredging industry, discussed current challenges and opportunities across Europe and explored the role of a responsible dredging industry in moving towards a sustainable outcome.

The key theme of the conference, Finding common ground was about reconciling the needs of different stakeholders – whether in terms of environmental protection or potentially conflicting use. It also explored how stakeholders’ needs can be reconciled and the role of a responsible dredging industry in moving towards a sustainable outcome.

The event included an engaging and varied programme of topical presentations, panel discussions, poster exhibition and industry showcase. This EMSAGG conference coverd a range of topics highly relevant to the dredging industry, its regulators, customers and other stakeholders covering both technical and non-technical issues. The conference programme examined three broad topic areas with summary presentations and panel discussions in each: Extraction of marine sand and gravel – monitoring and impacts; New technologies and developments; and Marine spatial planning.

Download the presentations

Learning Seminar, Understanding and learning from the French perspective
20 September 2013, Le Havre, France

This seminar brought together experts from across Europe from governments, industry and academia to discuss and understand the latest developments in marine sand and gravel, with a focus on understanding and learning from the French perspective.

There were a diverse range of presentations which allowed delegates to share experiences, knowledge and network with peers.

Download the presentations.

Learning Seminar, Opportunities for European Mineral Resources
26 February 2013, Bundesanstalt für Seeschiffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH), Hamburg, Germany

The seminar looked at the opportunities that are available for mineral resource extraction across Europe. Exploring the economic opportunities of mineral extraction and the latest techniques including deep sea mining. It also discussed future opportunities looking at where future growth may occur across the world.

In the afternoon the delegates enjoyed a boast trip around Hamburg's Harbour including the extension of the Airbus site, container terminal and cruise ship terminal. The trip was organised and sponsored by Heinrich Hirdes GmbH.

The seminar also provided delegates with the opportunity to network with contacts from across Europe.

Download the presentations.


EMSAGG 2012 conference, the crossroads for new marine, sand and gravel development
20-21 June 2012, Oostende, Belgium

The fourth EMSAGG conference took place on 20-21 June 2012 at Thermae Palace, Ostend, Belgium. This international conference offered delegates the opportunity to learn from leading international experts on topics ranging from:

• data exchange
• data modelling
• demand and supply
• energy and carbon
• environmental assessment.

Day 2 included presentations on Ostend's coastal protection works and sea dikes, which was followed by a guided tour of the adaptation works at the harbour. After lunch the tour included a trip to the NHM processing plant.

The conference proceedings are now available for download.


Learning seminar and site visit
1 September 2011, London Gateway

This learning seminar taking place at London Gateway, the UK’s newest deep-sea container port and Europe’s largest logistics park will provide delegates with a unique understanding of the delivery of the London Gateway project including the engineering, setup, modelling, monitoring and management of the site. This site visit will enable delegates to see the development of the port and to learn from those involved in the delivery of this exemplar project.

Once complete, London Gateway will enable the world’s largest container ships to dock. The port’s highly efficient road, rail and sea links will offer an efficient and more environmentally-friendly way to transport goods to their destination. Currently hundreds of operatives are working at the site, with dredging and new land creation taking place alongside the development of key infrastructure. 


Learning seminar
13 May 2011, Turkish Chamber of Shipping, Istanbul, Turkey

EMSAGG is pleased to contribute to its aim of disseminating information and encouraging the exchange of ideas across different disciplines involved in marine sand and gravel.

This seminar, hosted by Istanbul Dredgers Cooperative and Turkish Chamber of Shipping, took place at Turkish Chamber of Shipping on 13 May 2011 and provided delegates an understanding of the latest work by EMSAGG, especially focusing on permitting, environmental, engineering and geological aspect of marine sand and gravel.

The day included an exciting programme with presentations from leading figures across the industry from Europe and USA.


Learning seminar, Maasvlakte 2, the next level in sand and gravel
21 October 2010, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

The 2010 EMSAGG learning seminar took place at Maasvlakte 2, Rotterdam, the Netherlands on 21 October. The Maasvlakte 2 project is a mega land reclamation project in the Netherlands, which involves a port area expansion of about 2000ha. During the first phase, an 11 km long sea defences will be constructed as well as circa 700ha of the harbour premises.

The seminar allowed delegates to gain an understanding of the latest environmental, technical, regulatory, economic issues relating to the Maasvlakte 2 project and to share experiences and thoughts with international peers. The day included an exciting programme with presentations from leading figures involved with Maasvlakte 2 project.



EMSAGG 2009 conference, A wave of opportunities for the marine aggregates industry
7 May 2009, Centro Congressi Frentani, Rome, Italy

The 2009 European Marine Sand and Gravel conference took place at the Frentani Conference Centre in Rome, Italy on 7 May. The international conference offered delegates to gain an understanding of the latest environmental, technical, regulatory, economic and future issues for marine sand and gravel and to share experiences and thoughts with international peers.

An exciting programme with presentations from leading figures from all over Europe, and discussion sessions provided an effective means of gaining information and contacts. Topics on the day included:

• legislation and policy
• exploration and exploitation of marine sediments
• sustainable beach nourishment
• security of marine aggregate supply.

The conference proceedings are now available for download.