DEME closed 2025 with a strong Mediterranean statement: two fresh marine works awards that target real coastal and environmental pressure points.
One contract supports Naples as it prepares for the 38th America’s Cup, with heavy marine works tied to the Bagnoli-Coroglio redevelopment. The other tackles beach erosion in Valencia through a large-scale nourishment program.
For professionals tracking maritime jobs and project-driven hiring, this matters. At SeaEmploy, we watch these contract signals closely because they often foreshadow demand for crews, subcontractors, and specialist suppliers across the region.
DEME says its share of the two contracts sits in the €50–150 million range. That’s not just revenue talk. It hints at the project scale, vessel intensity, and the length of the execution window across Italy and Spain.
DEME contracts in Italy and Spain: what’s actually included
Italy: Naples marine works linked to Bagnoli-Coroglio and the America’s Cup
In Italy, DEME will work in the Bay of Naples at the Bagnoli-Coroglio site. The scope blends coastal engineering with environmental cleanup, which requires careful sequencing and tight controls.
A consortium brings the delivery model. DEME partners with Savarese Costruzioni and Iterga Costruzioni Generali to execute key components offshore and along the former industrial waterfront.
The numbers tell the story. The plan includes 900 meters of offshore breakwaters, the removal of about 130,000 m³ of sediments, plus demolition of a deteriorating central pier and former service buildings from the old steel-plant era.
DEME also targets substantial completion by next summer
So the area can host preliminary regattas and enable wider urban regeneration steps.
This contract sits inside a much larger narrative: Naples will host the 38th America’s Cup in 2027, with Bagnoli identified as a focal zone for revitalization and event infrastructure.
Spain: Valencia coastline protection through nourishment and shoreline measures
In Spain, DEME won the Valencia beach nourishment project through a joint venture with Rover Maritime, commissioned by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO).
The project targets three well-known beaches: Sagunto, Sueca, and Cullera. Local communities have watched these stretches lose sand for decades, with storms accelerating retreat and shrinking the usable beach width.
DEME doesn’t treat this as a simple sand dump. The scope combines nourishment with complementary coastal measures to improve longevity. The goal is straightforward: restore protective capacity and keep the coastline enjoyable and functional for residents, tourism, and ecosystems over the long term.
Dredging that changes the outcome: 3 million m³, deep-water sourcing, and smart placement
The Spanish award stands out because of its volume and operating depth. DEME plans dredging and placement of ~3 million m³ of sand, using the trailing suction hopper dredger Bonny River, which can operate at depths beyond 100 meters. That capability matters when nearshore compatible sand sources run scarce.
Volume alone doesn’t guarantee success. Beach nourishment works when grain size matches, placement respects coastal drift, and contractors shape the profile so waves rebuild the beach instead of stripping it immediately. DEME also adds dune restoration and builds new groins as part of the Valencia package, aiming to reduce losses and stabilize key sections.
Taken together, the Spain and Italy scopes show a consistent pattern: DEME positions its dredging fleet and marine civil engineering teams as problem-solvers for “messy” coastlines. Not just construction. Remediation, protection, and public-facing outcomes that governments can defend.
Closing paragraph
DEME’s two Southern Europe wins connect high-profile sport, urban regeneration, and climate-driven shoreline defense in one December announcement. Naples gets offshore breakwaters and seabed remediation at Bagnoli-Coroglio ahead of America’s Cup preparations, while Valencia gets a major nourishment program across Sagunto, Sueca, and Cullera with deep-water sand sourcing and added coastal stabilization measures.
If you work in dredging, marine construction, hydrography, or coastal engineering, keep an eye on these project timelines. They often translate into real staffing ramps. Follow SeaEmploy.com for practical updates on maritime opportunities tied to active contracts—and share this article with someone who tracks Mediterranean marine works.
