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Understanding Dredging

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Our History in Brief

CEDA was launched at the 8th World Dredging Congress (WODCON) in Amsterdam in November 1978. The distinguished group at that inaugural meeting sowed the seeds for an international dredging association that could be a source of pride to its members and the dredging and marine construction industry.

Thanks to the unflagging dedication, enthusiasm and hard work of our members, and the support of our corporate members, CEDA has grown into a highly-respected and dynamic organisation with an impressive history.

Timeline

2022:  CEDA is granted official observer status in the International Seabed Authority (ISA)
2022:  Comission on Decarbonisation established (CCD)
2018:  CEDA & IADC publish book: Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure
2016:  Dredging Management Commission established (DMC)
2007
:  CEDA is granted official observer status in the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)
2004:  CEDA is granted official observer status in the EU Water Framework Directive Strategic Co-ordination Group
2002:  African Section established
1992:  CEDA is granted official observer status at the OSPAR Commission
1990:  CEDA is granted official observer status at the London Convention as an NGO,
1990:  Environmental Steering Committee (ESC) established (known today as CEDA Environment Commission, CEC for short)
1988:  Belgian Section established
1982:  British Section established
1980:  CEDA organises the first CEDA Dredging Days, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 
1980:  Dutch Section established
1978:  CEDA organises the World Dredging Congress (WODCON) for the 1st time - WODCON VIII, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
1978:  CEDA holds its inaugural meeting (15 November, Amsterdam)

CEDA Presidents

2015 – to date: Polite Laboyrie, Witteveen+Bos, the Netherlands
2008 – 2015: Anders Jensen, Femern Baelt (until 2011), DHI Denmark
2000 – 2008: Dipl. Ing. Rewert Wurpts, Port Authority Emden, Germany
1995 – 2000: Brian Wheeler, Brian Wheeler Associates, UK
1990 – 1995: B. Steen Christensen, Consultant Engineer, Denmark
1978 - 1990: Prof. Jan de Koning, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

Our history in pictures

Visit the Photo gallery to see some of the events that we have been involved in over the years.