Municipalities face additional 16 billion euros in costs to replace aging quay walls

Municipalities across the Netherlands face billions of euros in possible unexpected expenses to repair and replace deteriorating quay walls, according to new research obtained by EenVandaag. The study, not yet published, warns of widespread structural risks, including collapses, cracks, and subsidence.

The new costs come on top of a 261 billion-euro estimate by TNO in 2023 for repairing and renewing national infrastructure, which did not fully include quay walls. Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Vincent Karremans, confirmed that the replacement of quay walls and sheet piles could add approximately 16 billion euros to municipal budgets, although the exact figure remains uncertain.

“The costs for replacement of dam walls and quay walls are expected to rise significantly,” the ministry said. “This represents an additional financial burden for municipalities.”

Immediate risks are evident in towns including Urk and Terschelling, where damaged harbor walls have prompted urgent government assistance requests. “It is now visible and a lot of money is being spent, but it is a long-term catch-up operation,” Mandy Korff, a geotechnical expert at Deltares and TU Delft, told EenVandaag. She noted that some quay walls are at the end of their lifespan due to age and deferred maintenance, and ownership is sometimes unclear, delaying repairs.

The Netherlands has over 1,500 kilometers of quay walls, almost all requiring eventual replacement. Korff said, “A significant but unknown portion has reached the end of its life. It is partly due to deferred maintenance and partly age.” She added that replacement will take decades, with potential damage and disruption continuing during that time. Smaller municipalities are reportedly particularly vulnerable due to limited budgets and personnel.

Minister Karremans said that the TNO 2023 report estimated roughly 10 billion euros for dam wall replacement from 2021 to 2100 but did not fully include quay walls due to incomplete data. “The new research now includes this category, and costs are expected to rise sharply,” the ministry said.