The construction of the deep‑sea port of Pointe‑Noire in Congo‑Brazzaville provides one of the clearest examples of large‑scale dredging carried out despite the constraints of the Second World War. Work on the port began in the mid‑1930s, and it included extensive land reclamation and dredging operations to create new harbor basins, quays, and protective infrastructure.

Central to these operations was the trailing suction hopper dredger Antwerpen III, which was deployed from 1936 onward. Between December 1936 and March 1940, this vessel pumped approximately 2.7 million cubic meters of sand to create reclamation areas and form protective dikes between the seawall and the quays. These works were essential for establishing the physical footprint of the port and ensuring its long-term stability.

When the war started, operations at Pointe‑Noire were immediately affected. European staff were mobilized, which reduced the availability of experienced personnel, while new operational restrictions were also introduced. Under “passive defense” regulations, dredging vessels and construction sites were required to limit visibility by using shielded lighting or specially adapted lamps in order to reduce detection from offshore. Furthermore, night operations were only permitted under strict conditions, which affected productivity and required careful coordination.

At the same time, supply chains became more difficult to maintain. Fuel and spare parts were harder to obtain, while the maintenance of equipment required relocation to other sites, including repair work carried out in Boma (Congo). Technical challenges also persisted throughout the project. The dredging conditions were complex, with sand mixed with clay and strong sea swell affecting the efficiency of pumping systems and the stability of reclamation works. In fact, some of the dredged material was displaced as a result of inadequate sealing of quay structures, which required additional dredging to compensate.

Despite these challenges, operations continued until the completion of the works on March 27, 1940. In the final months of activity, dredging and land reclamation progressed steadily. This included the preparation of quay areas and the completion of works around the eastern jetty. The scale of the project and the persistence of operations under increasingly difficult conditions highlight the level of technical capabilities and resilience that were required to deliver such infrastructure during wartime.