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Coastal sand bunding in the Maldives
Published on 09 Apr ‘25
Efficient Coastal Bunding in the Maldives
Coastal bunding in the Maldives

Silver Sands in the Maldives embarked on a major expansion project. They aimed to reclaim and fill an adjoining island to create more space for new resort facilities. As with any coastal development, also this project in the Maldives required a practical and cost-effective approach to coastal bunding. This helped minimize the environmental impact of reclamation by enabling proper management and mitigation measures.

Project overview

As part of the resort’s expansion plans, the contractor aimed to reclaim land from the sea to support the development of additional infrastructure. Their scope of work included land reclamation and associated construction activities on a nearby island. Having used rocks and geotubes in the past, the contractor recognized these “bunding” methods were no longer optimal. They lacked efficiency, cost-effectiveness, speed and ease of handling on-site.

Looking for a better solution, ie. proper enclosure of the reclamation footprint, the contractor turned to Ecocoast for advice.

Solution offered

For that purpose, we recommended the use of Ecobag Coastal Protection Boxes as the temporary bunding solution for the project.

Designed for quick deployment and reliable performance, these geotextile boxes helped the contractor streamline the reclamation process. By switching to boxes, the project benefitted from:

✅ Lower material and transport costs compared to rocks.
✅ Faster installation, reducing manhours on site.
✅ Stable bunding to support ongoing reclamation and construction work.

Overcoming challenges

One of the main challenges faced during implementation was the concern over the filling method and placement of the geotextile boxes. To address this, our engineering team provided technical support, offering a frame design that facilitated easy installation.

Although we were not responsible for the installation this time around, our team’s technical expertise and support played a key role. We correctly placed and utilized the boxes, overcoming any potential setup challenges.

The photo highlights the filling process as well as the structure we assembled on-site. It shows how practical and effective the solution was in action.

Ecobag Coastal Protection Box

Results & project impact

The Ecobag Coastal Protection Boxes performed flawlessly throughout the course of the project. We carried out monitoring campaigns before, during and after the reclamation works. We didn’t receive any failure reports. On the contrary, the contractor expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the approach.

This success demonstrates the reliability and durability of the geotextile box system for reclamation works.

The Silver Sands Resort expansion in the Maldives is a strong example of coastal bunding done right. Innovative shoreline protection solutions like geotextile boxes improved project outcomes. With reduced costs, quicker installation and stronger performance, the solution was ideal for temporary bunding in this land reclamation project.

👉 Planning a coastal development or reclamation project? Get in touch with our team to find out how our shoreline stabilization solutions can support your goals.

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FAQS

The Silver Sands expansion project in the Maldives focused on reclaiming and filling an adjacent island to create extra land for new resort infrastructure and guest facilities. This expansion supports the resort’s development goals by providing additional space while incorporating efficient coastal bunding solutions to protect against erosion and maintain environmental sustainability.

Ecocoast’s Ecobag Coastal Protection Boxes offered several key benefits for the Silver Sands expansion project, including:

● Reduced material and transportation costs compared to traditional rock bunding methods, thanks to lightweight geosynthetic construction.
● Faster and more efficient installation, significantly reducing on-site man-hours and project timelines.
● Stable and durable bunding performance, ensuring reliable protection for ongoing reclamation works and supporting construction activities even in challenging marine conditions.

Ecobag boxes provide a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional rock bunding and geotubes. Their lightweight design allows for quicker deployment and easier handling, significantly reducing logistical challenges and installation time. Additionally, Ecobag boxes deliver enhanced on-site performance by offering superior stability and adaptability in coastal environments.

Ecobag boxes are designed for quick deployment, significantly reducing labor and project time compared to traditional methods. Customized frames are used to make filling easier and facilitate placement, enhancing both installation efficiency and quality.

Yes, Ecobag bunds are engineered for strength and durability. In this project, they remained stable throughout all phases of reclamation and construction. Despite continuous equipment movement and material loading, no failures were reported, proving their suitability for demanding site conditions.

Ecobag Coastal Protection Boxes are filled on-site with locally available sand. To simplify and speed up the process, Ecocoast’s engineering team developed customized frames that make filling easier and more consistent. These frames also help facilitate placement of the boxes within the bund structure, ensuring uniformity and stability during installation.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about our turnkey solutions! Our team of marine experts is ready to assist you.