Site works have commenced on a critical coastal protection project located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The project design is led by consulting engineering company Royal HaskoningDHV on behalf of the RMI Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Utilities (MPWIU), with dredging and marine construction company Hall Contracting now mobilising on site.
In a breaking ground ceremony that occurred last week, Hall Contracting commenced early mobilisation works in preparation for the construction of a 1.81km seawall that will help to protect residents from inundation and wave overtopping, which is getting only more critical with rising sea levels.
The new seawall will be constructed on the Ebeye atoll, using approximately 65,000 tonnes of armour rock. Located approximately half-way between Australia and Hawaii, Ebeye is a small, low-lying island in the Kwajalein Atoll with a population of almost 10,000 that is prone to climate hazards.
“We are focused on supporting communities and delivering projects that enhance the world we live in. The residents of RMI are already seeing the effects of rising sea levels. This project aims to safeguard the local community and improve protection to their homes,” said Dr Martin Budd, Strategic Projects Director at Royal HaskoningDHV.
Climate projection modelling indicates that the global median sea level could rise between 0.43 metres and 0.84 metres by 2100*, bringing more frequent and intense coastal flooding, severe coastal erosion, and permanent submergence of some areas of the Marshall Islands.
After a comprehensive design process and risk assessment by Royal HaskoningDHV, a rock revetment seawall was determined as the most effective method to protect Ebeye from storms, flooding and rising sea levels. The seawall will provide long-term protection from sea level rise of up to 0.5 metres and mitigate inundation and flood risks, helping to defend Ebeye’s oceanside communities.
“We’re proud to be delivering a climate change adaptation project that will significantly increase Ebeye residents’ resilience to severe weather events as well as protect homes and community infrastructure,” said Cameron Hall, CEO and Director at Hall Contracting.
“Building capacity within the local community is one of our top priorities, and we look forward to employing more than 30 Marshallese workers over the course of the project and providing formal training in areas such as plant operations.”
The Client, MPWIU, has engaged Royal HaskoningDHV to be responsible for site supervision and contract administration, and Hall Contracting for the construction of the new infrastructure, with initial works involving constructing a dedicated unloading facility on the southern end of the island.
“In an effort to reduce pollution, maximise cost savings and make use of the island’s existing resources, our team will compile concrete that has been discarded along the beachfront and reuse this to form a road to the unloading facility,” Mr Hall said.
“The new facility will enable us to transport armour rock ashore when the first of two 40,000-tonne shipments arrives by sea in early March.
We expect to commence construction of the coastal protection system in late March.”
This multi-million-dollar (USD) project has been funded by the World Bank and Green Climate Fund and is set to be completed in 2026. Both companies recognise and appreciate the significant support which has been received locally from the community, the Kwajalein Atoll Development Authority (KADA) and the Kwajalein Leaders.
