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.

1937

Twenty contracts in the port of Algiers

DEME 1937 - Algiers
DEME 1937 - Algiers
DEME 1937 - Algiers
DEME 1937 - Algiers
DEME 1937 - Algiers

From the mid-1920s onwards, the founders established a sustained presence in the port of Algiers, working as a subcontractor within large construction consortia. Rather than one-off projects, the company became involved in a continuous series of dredging, land reclamation and port infrastructure works.

This long-term commitment resulted in a massive portfolio. Between 1925 and 1937, the founders of DEME secured around twenty different contracts. The teams took on various works from expanding jetties and building new quays to extensive land reclamation and deep-water dredging to handle North Africa's booming maritime trade.

Managing this endless stream of work required an immense logistical effort. A diverse fleet, including bucket dredgers, crane vessels, and trailing suction hopper dredgers, was permanently stationed on-site, with operations tightly coordinated between local supervisors and the headquarters in Antwerp.

The Algiers program marked a significant evolution in how the company operated internationally. It could embed itself in a complex, multi-year infrastructure program through repeated contracts, the founders cemented their reputation as a trusted, permanent player in shaping the world's major trade gateways.

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.