About the benchmark

The dredging industry is evolving under growing economic, environmental and technological pressure. The Dredging Landscape 2026 is an independent benchmark study initiated by Royal IHC to provide a clear, fact-based overview of how organisations across the global dredging community are responding to these changes.

The benchmark explores six key themes:

Navigating today’s dredging market
Digitalisation & performance improvement
Sustainability & regulation
Innovation & investment
People & collaboration
The future of the dredging industry

Participating takes just 10 - 15 minutes. Your input contributes directly to a stronger, more transparent and more resilient dredging community. All responses are treated confidentially. Results are aggregated and once sufficient data has been collected, we analyse the outcomes and create a personalised benchmark report for each participant.

Start the benchmark survey

Two cutter suction dredger shore pumping soil to create new land

Is this for you?

The benchmark is valuable for everyone working in, or connected to, the dredging industry, including:

Executives and decision-makers
Technical experts and specialists involved in design, engineering and innovation
Office, operations and project teams
Crew members and on-site personnel
Contractors, suppliers and consultants
Industry followers and professionals interested in the sector's future
Port authorities, service providers & research organisations

If you contribute to dredging in any way - strategic or operational - your perspective is valuable.

What’s in it for you?

Personal benchmark report. Receive a tailored comparison showing how your organisations' priorities, challenges and maturity levels compare with peers across the sector.
Strategic insights. See where the industry is moving: new opportunities, emerging risks, regional changes and technology trends.
Actionable guidance. Use the insights to support decision-making in strategy, operations, innovation, digitalisation and sustainability.

How and when you’ll receive your benchmark report

All results are aggregated before analysis. Once sufficient data has been collected, we analyse the outcomes and create a personalised benchmark report for each participant.

Because this process involves data collection, analysis and personalisation, it may take some time before you receive your individual benchmark comparison. This approach ensures that your report is accurate, relevant and tailored to your situation.

About Royal IHC: Ahead since 1642

Our experience goes back to the mid-seventeenth century. Being Dutch we had to control the water in order to keep our feet dry. We learned how to deal with water, mud and currents, the basis of dredging as we know it today. Our experience goes back 300 years, but we look towards the future. We developed into a leading producer of vessels, equipment and full-services.