Discover 150 years of DEME!

In 2026, DEME celebrates 150 years of marine and environmental engineering. From our early roots in 1876, we have grown from our origins in dredging and marine works into a leading, diversified group - shaped by expertise, innovation, resilience and a constant drive to push boundaries. 

Throughout this anniversary year, we’ll take you on a journey through our history, sharing stories and moments that show how challenges were approached, solutions were developed and ambitions kept moving forward. Across our channels and on this dedicated anniversary website, you can discover the people, projects and breakthroughs that made DEME what it is today. This website will be updated weekly with new stories. Throughout the year, we will use #DEME150 to share and connect these stories. 

As we reflect on 150 years, we continue to look ahead with the same spirit that defines us: We Care. We Dare. We Deliver.

1931

Expanding along the Atlantic Coast

DEME 1931 - Expanding along the Atlantic coast
DEME 1931 - Expanding along the Atlantic coast
DEME 1931 - Expanding along the Atlantic coast

In the years that followed, activities on the African continent gradually expanded. In West Africa, Conakry (Guinea) became a focal point of long‑term engagement, with dredging and port development works carried out over several years.

Further south, the company was also active in Douala (Cameroon), executing dredging works in a complex river and port environment that supported access to the hinterland. Conakry and Douala illustrate how experience gained earlier around the Mediterranean translated into increasingly demanding Atlantic port projects.

Alongside these key developments, the founders also undertook works in Morocco and Tunisia, underlining the growing geographic breadth of DEME’s African operations and paving the way for even larger infrastructure projects to come.

Disclaimer

With 150 years of history, there are countless moments to tell. In this anniversary year, we share a non-exhaustive selection of stories that illustrate how DEME became the company it is today. These stories are drawn from a variety of historical sources, including books by authors such as Dirk Podevijn and Mon Vanderosteyne, company publications and the input of colleagues across the organization. As this website looks back on 150 years of heritage, it features archival material from different eras. Safety standards and working practices have evolved significantly over time and should be understood in their historical context.