Flood, coast and marine defences
We are the UK’s specialist national contractor for earthmoving, crushing and recycling, and flood, coast and marine defences
“We are proud to have been delivering resilient flood, coastal and marine defences through decades of experience. We protect shorelines, enhance environments and habitats, and ensure long-term sustainability against evolving marine challenges."
Dave Hobbs, Flood, Coast & Marine Contracts Manager
Delivering specialist flood, coast and marine defence infrastructure with experience, safety and efficiency
OEC has delivered flood, coast and marine defence infrastructure for nearly three decades, beginning with a beach nourishment contract at Sandwich Bay in 1997. Since then, we have completed major schemes across the UK and Europe, working in some of the most dynamic and environmentally sensitive coastal environments.
Whether a smaller or major project, coastal defence demands technical precision, logistical discipline and environmental responsibility. OEC has constructed large-scale rock structures including revetments, groynes, reefs and breakwaters ranging from 3,000 to 300,000 tonnes. We have also delivered extensive beach renourishment programmes involving millions of cubic metres of material, carefully sourced, placed and profiled to achieve hydraulic performance, shoreline stability and long-term resilience.
Our approach is grounded in our core values: sustain, protect, enhance. We sustain coastlines by restoring natural sediment balances and reinforcing vulnerable shorelines against erosion and storm events. We protect communities, infrastructure and habitats through engineered rock armour systems and precisely controlled beach profiles designed to absorb and dissipate wave energy. We enhance the coastal environment by working in harmony with ecological and archaeological constraints, tidal movements and regulatory frameworks.
To operate effectively in soft sands or inter zones, we invest heavily in specialist plant, including low ground pressure bulldozers, articulated dump trucks, high-capacity excavators and precision rock grapples. All machines operate with marine dredge onboard survey systems and use biodegradable oils to minimise environmental risk in these fragile settings.
From targeted reinforcement schemes to major shoreline realignments, OEC delivers disciplined, large-scale coastal engineering that sustains coastlines, protects communities and enhances long-term environmental resilience and flood prevention.
All flood, coast and marine defences services
All flood, coast and marine defences services
Modern, specialised fleet
Our modern fleet is supported by strict maintenance regimes, in-house engineering teams on 24/7 hour callout, extensive workshop facilities and comprehensive parts stock. This ensures operational reliability seven days a week – essential where tidal windows, weather conditions and marine programmes demand absolute responsiveness. As such, we invest significantly in preventative maintenance to maximise reliability.
Early-stage buildability consultancy
OEC provides early-stage buildability consultancy, working alongside clients and design teams to shape practical, efficient delivery strategies from the outset. Our hands-on operational experience enables us to interrogate designs, identify risks and advise on methodologies that improve programme certainty and reduce unnecessary cost. By engaging early, we can highlight smarter construction approaches, optimise material usage and unlock efficiencies that may otherwise be missed, ensuring projects are not only technically sound, but commercially and logistically robust.
Expertise
UK-wide service
We’re proud to be able to operate nationally and be able to offer a high preparedness and mobilisation capability service to customers and partners with emergency requirements.
From small to large projects
We support projects of all scales, from small coastal interventions to complex large-scale marine schemes, delivering consistent expertise, resource and operational reliability.
Proven competent contractors for complex and sensitive zones
We have a long and successful track record for working in complex, sensitive coastal and marine environments, delivering precision, compliance and reliability under challenging conditions.
Environmentally sensitive controls
We operate with strict environmental controls, minimising impact through responsible methods, sustainable materials and careful management of sensitive coastal and marine ecosystems.
What our partners say
What our partners say
