Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Ems-Nordsee has awarded a €52M dredging contract to Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen

Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Ems-Nordsee, a central government authority responsible for general public services, has awarded a contract for maintenance dredging of the Unterems and Leda fairways (Nassbaggerarbeiten zur Unterhaltung des Fahrwassers der Unterems und Leda 2026-2028) to Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen. The awarded value of the contract is €52,097,717.00, covering dredging, transport, and relocation of approximately 3.5 million m³ of soil volume, with a large proportion to be flushed to land-based disposal areas. The contract was awarded following an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Introduction

Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Ems-Nordsee, a central government authority, has conducted an open procedure for maintenance dredging works on the federal waterway Ems and the Leda. The works cover the Unterems from km 0.0 to 40.7 and the Leda from km 22.9 to 24.85. The total service includes dredging, transport, and relocation of approximately 3.5 million m³ of soil volume (survey measurement). Approximately 3.0 million m³ is to be flushed to land-based disposal areas, while approximately 0.6 million m³ is to be dumped at disposal areas in the Ems estuary. The contract was conducted under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

The estimated duration is 25 months, with an optional extension of 6 months under § 22 EU Abs. 2 Nr. 1 VOB/A-EU. The procurement is not financed with EU funds but is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). No strategic procurement objectives were specified.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures that the Unterems and Leda fairways are maintained at the required depths and widths for safe navigation, particularly for the transfer of new shipyard builds from Papenburg to Emden.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports Waterway Infrastructure: Maintains federal waterway depths and widths
• Significant Value: €52,097,717.00 awarded value
• Long-Term Commitment: 25 months, with optional 6-month extension
• Large Volume: Approximately 3.5 million m³ of dredged material
• Price Focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Competition: 3 tenders received
• Critical for Ship Transfers: Enables transfer of shipyard new builds

Contract Timeline

• Contract concluded: 06 July 2026
• Estimated start date: 01 October 2026
• Initial duration: 19 months
• Maximum renewals: 1 (6 months)
• Maximum total duration: 25 months (ending 31 October 2028)
• Notice published: 14 September 2026 (OJ S 177/2026)
• Notice dispatch date: 11 September 2026

Contract Overview

Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Ems-Nordsee conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• One lot: LOT-0000
• Awarded value: €52,097,717.00
• Initial duration: 19 months
• Maximum renewals: 1 (6 months)
• Maximum total duration: 25 months
• Framework type: No framework agreement
• Evaluation: Price (100%)
• Winner: Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen (large enterprise)
• Subcontracting: No
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Strategic procurement: No strategic procurement

Key Contract Details

• Main classification: 45240000 Construction work for water projects
• Additional classification: 45247100 Construction work for waterways
• Place of performance: Bundeswasserstraße Ems, Ems-km 0.0 to Ems-km 40.7 and Leda-km 22.9 to Leda-km 24.85; Emden, Germany (NUTS: DE942)
• Procedure identifier: f1af1054-d6ad-4f5e-a872-579a79e3032e
• Internal identifier: 2026-801-000002
• Type of procedure: Open
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU; VgV - § 3 EU Nr. 1 VOB/A open procedure
• Review body: Bundeskartellamt
• Review deadline: Per § 160 (3) No. 1-4 GWB

Lot Structure

Lot 1 – Dredging Works Unterems and Leda

• Title: Nassbaggerarbeiten zur Unterhaltung des Fahrwassers der Unterems und Leda 2026-2028
• Description: Dredging works (trailing suction hopper dredger) to maintain and restore required target depths and widths in the fairway in the tidal area of the Unterems from km 0.0 to 40.7 and the Leda from km 22.8 to 24.85
• Awarded value: €52,097,717.00
• Winner: Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen
• Tenders received: 3
• Contract concluded: 06 July 2026
• Duration: 19 months initial, with optional 6-month extension

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Value (€)	Winner	Tenders
1	Dredging Works Unterems and Leda	52,097,717.00	Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen	3
Total		52,097,717.00

Scope of Supply

The contract covers the following works:

• Dredging: Dredging works using trailing suction hopper dredger to maintain and restore required target depths and widths
• Transport: Transport of dredged material
• Relocation: Relocation of approximately 3.5 million m³ of soil volume
• Land Disposal: Flushing of approximately 3.0 million m³ to land-based disposal areas
• Estuary Disposal: Dumping of approximately 0.6 million m³ at disposal areas in the Ems estuary
• Dredging Campaigns: Execution in so-called dredging campaigns for transfer of shipyard new builds
• Leda Dredging: Individual dredging of approximately 30,000 m³ each in the Leda before and after campaigns
• Optional Shuten Use: Shuten use tendered as a need position

Special Procurement Conditions

• Dredging Campaigns: Execution in campaigns linked to shipyard transfer dates (S724: 21.03.2027; S723: 18.09.2027; S725: 13.02.2028)
• Campaign Timing: A campaign may begin no earlier than 15 weeks before a ship transfer
• Campaign 2027-1: Early December 2026 to mid-March 2027; volume approximately 1,053,750 m³
• Campaign 2027-2: Mid-June 2027 to mid-September 2027; volume approximately 1,338,750 m³
• Campaign 2028-1: Early November 2027 to mid-February 2028; volume approximately 1,053,750 m³
• Leda Dredging: Total approximately 120,000 m³
• Extension Option: Optional 6-month extension under § 22 EU Abs. 2 Nr. 1 VOB/A-EU
• Extension Campaign: Campaign 2028-2 from mid-June 2028 to 15.09.2028 for transfer of shipyard new build S722 on 17.09.2028; volume approximately 1.3 million m³
• Extension Leda: Approximately 60,000 m³
• E-Procurement: Requests and submissions only via the federal e-procurement platform
• Soil Composition: Approximately 90% silt; remainder sand; consistency mostly "pulpy" to "soft"

About the Contracting Authority

Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Ems-Nordsee is a central government authority responsible for general public services, specifically waterway and navigation administration.

• Legal type: Central government authority
• Activity: General public services
• Registration number: 991-00601-94
• Location: Emden, Germany (NUTS: DE942)
• Address: Am Eisenbahndock 3, 26725 Emden
• Contact: Servicestelle für Vergabe
• Email: Vergabestelle.wsa-ems-nordsee@wsv.bund.de
• Telephone: +49 4921 8020
• Fax: +49 4921 802379
• Internet address: https://www.wsa-ems-nordsee.wsv.de/

About the Winning Supplier

Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen is a large enterprise bidding consortium based in Bremen, Germany, specialising in dredging and waterway construction works.

• Size: Large enterprise
• Registration number: UStID. DE 174007131
• Location: Bremen, Germany (NUTS: DE501)
• Address: Arberger Hafendamm 16, 28309 Bremen
• Subcontracting: No

Evaluation Criteria

The lot uses the following evaluation criterion:

• Price (100%): 100% price-based evaluation

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU
• Competition: 3 tenders received
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds
• No framework agreement: No framework agreement
• No dynamic purchasing system used
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Strategic procurement: No strategic procurement
• Review body: Bundeskartellamt
• Call for competition terminated: The call for competition has been terminated (contract awarded)

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
• No EU funds were used for this procurement
• The awarded value is €52,097,717.00
• The procurement is divided into one lot
• Price (100%) is the evaluation criterion
• Three tenders were received
• The winner is a large enterprise
• No subcontracting was declared
• The contract duration is 19 months, with optional 6-month extension (maximum 25 months)
• Approximately 3.5 million m³ of soil volume to be dredged
• Self-employed persons noted in additional information

Market & Industry Perspective

The German public sector waterway construction market features specialised dredging contractors. Maintenance dredging is essential for keeping federal waterways navigable, particularly for the transfer of large shipyard new builds.

Key trends in this market include:

• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Specialised providers: Dominance of large dredging companies
• Campaign-based works: Dredging tied to ship transfer schedules
• Long-term contracts: Up to 25 months with extension
• Environmental considerations: Land-based disposal and estuary dumping
• Federal procurement: Central government authority tendering

Economic Significance

At €52,097,717.00, this contract represents a significant investment in waterway maintenance for the Unterems and Leda. The contract will:

• Support Waterway Infrastructure: Maintain required depths and widths for navigation
• Support Large Enterprise: Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen is a large consortium
• Provide Long-Term Stability: Up to 25-month contract
• Ensure Navigation Safety: Enables safe transfer of shipyard new builds
• Enable Operational Efficiency: Campaign-based dredging aligned with ship transfers
• Support Shipbuilding: Critical for Papenburg to Emden transfers

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 25-month maximum duration
• Related Works: Additional waterway maintenance and construction works
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winning consortium
• Other Waterway Projects: Similar dredging procurement opportunities
• Extension: Optional 6-month extension may create further opportunities

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for waterway construction suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winning consortium
• Related Works: Other waterway maintenance and construction works
• Other German Waterway Authorities: Similar dredging procurements
• Extension Period: Monitor extension campaign opportunities

What Businesses Should Watch

• Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Ems-Nordsee's future procurement notices
• Other German waterway maintenance tenders
• Dredging services market trends
• Changes to German procurement regulations
• Shipyard transfer schedules affecting dredging campaigns

GermanyTenders Procurement Intelligence

This dredging contract is a notable example of German public sector waterway procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €52.1M over 25 months
• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Large winner: Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen
• One lot: Dredging works Unterems and Leda
• Campaign-based: Works tied to shipyard transfer schedules
• Competition: 3 tenders received
• Large volume: Approximately 3.5 million m³

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: 100% price-based evaluation
• Dredging capability: Ability to deploy trailing suction hopper dredgers
• Campaign scheduling: Ability to meet tight ship transfer deadlines
• Public sector experience: Understanding of German waterway requirements
• Scale capability: Ability to handle large dredging volumes

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 100% of evaluation is price-based
• Demonstrate dredging capability with trailing suction hopper dredgers
• Show ability to meet campaign schedules tied to ship transfers
• Develop public sector experience with German waterway authorities
• Demonstrate scale capability for large dredging volumes
• Monitor WSA Ems-Nordsee and German waterway procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Ems-Nordsee awarded a €52,097,717.00 dredging contract to Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen
• One lot: Dredging works Unterems and Leda 2026-2028
• Duration: 19 months initial, with optional 6-month extension (maximum 25 months)
• Evaluation: Price (100%)
• 3 tenders received
• Winner is a large enterprise
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Approximately 3.5 million m³ of soil volume to be dredged
• Campaign-based works tied to shipyard transfer schedules

Conclusion

This dredging contract ensures that the Unterems and Leda fairways are maintained at the required depths and widths for safe navigation, particularly for the transfer of shipyard new builds from Papenburg to Emden. By awarding the contract to Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen, WSA Ems-Nordsee secures a reliable supplier with the scale and capability to deliver large-scale dredging works.

The 100% price-based evaluation reflects the commoditised nature of dredging procurement, where price is the primary differentiator among qualified suppliers. The campaign-based execution and the optional extension reflect the complexities of waterway maintenance aligned with shipyard schedules.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, dredging capability, campaign scheduling, public sector experience, and scale capability in winning German public sector waterway contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsamt Ems-Nordsee?

Ans: A central government authority responsible for general public services, specifically waterway and navigation administration in the Ems-Nordsee region.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: Awarded value €52,097,717.00.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: Bietergemeinschaft Hegemann / Bunte / Rhode Nielsen, a large enterprise bidding consortium based in Bremen, Germany.

Q: What works are covered?

Ans: Dredging works (trailing suction hopper dredger) to maintain and restore required target depths and widths in the Unterems and Leda fairways.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (100%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 19 months initial, with an optional 6-month extension (maximum 25 months).

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Three tenders.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: Bundeskartellamt.

Q: What is the lot structure?

Ans: One lot – LOT-0000 (Nassbaggerarbeiten zur Unterhaltung des Fahrwassers der Unterems und Leda 2026-2028).

Q: Is the procurement contingent on anything?

Ans: The works are executed in dredging campaigns tied to shipyard new build transfer dates; an optional 6-month extension may be exercised under § 22 EU Abs. 2 Nr. 1 VOB/A-EU.

Q: Is subcontracting allowed?

Ans: No subcontracting was declared by the winner.

Q: What is the soil composition?

Ans: Approximately 90% silt and the remainder sand; consistency mostly "pulpy" to "soft".

Q: What is the total dredging volume?

Ans: Approximately 3.5 million m³ of soil volume, with approximately 3.0 million m³ flushed to land-based disposal areas and approximately 0.6 million m³ dumped at estuary disposal areas.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 632782-2026, OJ S 177/2026, published 14 September 2026.

```