Design of offshore phosphate project in New Zealand

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., Papendrecht, announced that the company has been exclusively selected by Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited (CRP) to undertake the detailed design of its offshore rock phosphate nodule project at Chatham Rise. Boskalis was selected following a full review of three scoping studies submitted by global dredging contractors.

Chatham Rise is located 450 km east of Christchurch and covers an area of 4,726 km2 of significant seabed deposits of rock phosphate at a depth of approximately 400 meters. The establishment of a rock phosphate industry has a significant number of economic, environmental and market benefits. The phosphate will be applied as an agriculture fertilizer, replacing current long distance imports.

The innovative project approach developed by Boskalis is based on a recovery and separation system for the phosphate nodules applying adapted and proven dredging technology. CRP will enter into discussions with Boskalis to undertake detailed design and production testing. Furthermore, Boskalis will be closely involved in associated environmental studies which are now commencing. Boskalis is looking forward to working with the CRP team over the next 12-18 months to develop a comprehensive technical, economic and environmentally extraction solution.