Salvage operations have been part of DEME's story since the years following World War II, when many wrecks were cleared from the Belgian coast. From the 1960s onwards, wreck removal activities expanded, combining dredging expertise with innovative engineering solutions.

A major step forward came in the 1980s through TV Bergingswerken, a partnership that brought together specialized Belgian maritime expertise with Dredging International, Baggerwerken Decloedt & Zoon, Ondernemingen Jan De Nul and Herbosch Kiere. Together, they tackled increasingly complex assignments in the North Sea, the River Scheldt and beyond, demonstrating how different disciplines could be united to solve unique engineering challenges.

The combined expertise of the hydraulic engineering companies enabled TV Bergingswerken to develop Norma into the workhorse of the Flemish dredging and salvage sector. The dedicated vessel became a key asset for complex wreck removal and heavy lifting assignments, helping to bridge the gap between traditional dredging and offshore construction capabilities.

Mont Louis & Herald of Free Enterprise
A major breakthrough came with the recovery of Mont Louis, which sank after a collision with a ferry in 1984 and became the first major assignment for which Norma was deployed. In 1985-1986, the vessel's two wreck sections were dredged free from the seabed and lifted using floating platforms and the specially adapted Norma. This project demonstrated how dredging know-how could be combined with increasingly sophisticated heavy lifting techniques.
The salvage of the Herald of Free Enterprise showcased another engineering first. MS Herald of Free Enterprise was a Ro-Ro ferry which capsized moments after leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge on the night of 6 March 1987. Flemish companies played a leading role in the rescue operation and in the salvage works.

Sixteen heavy steel piles were driven into the seabed and connected to the overturned ferry, allowing it to be righted through a carefully engineered pulling operation. This project highlighted capabilities in offshore piling that would later become a cornerstone of GeoSea's activities. GeoSea would later become the Offshore Energy segment.

Scaldis
The experience gained through TV Bergingswerken contributed to the further development of Scaldis, which grew into a leading specialist in marine salvage, heavy lifting and offshore construction. Although Scaldis operates as an independent company, it remains closely linked to the group with DEME still retaining a majority stake. Today Scaldis operates Rambiz, one of the most recognizable heavy lift vessels in the world, further extending the legacy of Norma and the expertise built up through these pioneering salvage projects.

Looking back, these specialized salvage works formed a crucial link between traditional dredging and the diversified DEME of today. The expertise developed through vessels such as Norma and later Rambiz laid the foundations for the offshore installation and heavy lift operations that support modern offshore wind projects around the world.