AT-2026-28: alternative anchorages for waterway markings

The Rijkswaterstaat Programs, Projects and Maintenance in Netherlands from Europe region has released this tender for Within the current area, floating waterway markers are primarily anchored with steel chains. This anchoring method has been used for many years. However, in recent years, indications have emerged that alternative solutions for the connection between the floating marker and the anchoring object may offer potential advantages in terms of maintenance, lifespan, handling, sustainability, and costs. Additionally, field trials have been conducted in the past with alternative solutions, including synthetic bands and rope constructions, either alone or in combination with chain anchoring. These trials have shown that such solutions have potential for application within the Rijkswaterstaat area. At the same time, Rijkswaterstaat currently does not have sufficient information to draw up a Program of Requirements or technical specification for a tender for alternative anchoring. Furthermore, there is insufficient insight into which solutions are currently available on the market, which performance has already been demonstrated, and under what circumstances these solutions can be successfully applied. With this market consultation, Rijkswaterstaat therefore aims to gain insight into: • available solutions for the connection between a floating marker and the anchoring object; • practical experiences and reference projects; • technical performance under varying conditions; • lifespan and maintenance aspects; • sustainability and environmental impacts; • total life cycle costs; • required validation and testing processes. Based on the results of the market consultation, Rijkswaterstaat can formulate the potential tender in such a way that the market has the scope to deliver its added value. In addition, the market consultation has other objectives. Through the market consultation, market parties can gain an early understanding of the project and the project objectives. For Rijkswaterstaat, it provides an indication of the market's interest in the potential tender. Finally, the market consultation offers the market and Rijkswaterstaat an accessible opportunity to engage in dialogue. This allows market parties and Rijkswaterstaat, as well as market parties among themselves, to get to know each other better. See market consultation document. with tender notice no. 654579-2026 published on 24 Sep 2026. The tender is due to expire on 23 Dec 2026. This tender is sourced from TED Europa and is eligible for suppliers interested in Marker buoys. Interested bidders can obtain further information including complete bid documents or ways to participate by registering on Tender Impulse and referencing via Tender Impulse ID 14955397.