The importance of construction materials sourced from the sea is highlighted in a new sustainability report from the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA).
The BMAPA publication sets out the latest sustainable development data (2020/21) for the marine aggregates industry across seven priority areas, including resource use, climate change and energy, and the natural environment.
More than 20 million tonnes of sand and gravel were sourced from the seabed in 2021, with 14.3 million tonnes supplied to British construction for infrastructure, public and private buildings, and housing. Marine aggregates contribute more than 20% of the total sand and gravel needed for construction in England and Wales, providing one-third of primary aggregate demand in the South East and 50% of all the primary aggregate used in central London. A further 1.3 million tonnes were used for beach replenishment at locations along England's south and east coast in 2021, and 4.3 million tonnes of British marine aggregates were delivered to Europe (France, Belgium and the Netherlands) for use in construction.
While marine aggregate production fell by 17.2% during 2020, the corresponding reduction in total fuel oil consumption and CO2 emissions reported by BMAPA operators were only around 9%. This reflects the fact that while some marine aggregate vessels were inactive in the second quarter of 2020 as the national economy responded to the effects of the global pandemic, they remained under power. Meanwhile, those active had to supply a wider range of markets, necessitating longer transport distances for the same volume of materials.
The annual BMAPA sustainable development report builds on the wider sustainable development reporting established by BMAPA's parent organisation, the Mineral Products Association (MPA). The information reported is structured to align with the existing Key Performance Indicators defined in the original BMAPA strategy document produced in 2006 using the seven MPA strategic priorities.
Mark Russell, the MPA's executive director for Planning, Mineral Resources & BMAPA, said: "At a time when there is spatial pressure arising from new off-shore activities such as renewable energy developments, coupled with the growing importance of marine protected areas and nature recovery more generally, it is more important than ever that the marine aggregates industry is able to demonstrate its sustainability credentials alongside its longstanding commitment to responsible operation.
"The industry was not immune to the impacts of the pandemic, with the initial lockdown arrangements in 2020 resulting in a significant downturn in construction activity. However, when it did resume, aided by the Government recognising construction and its supply chain as an 'essential activity', the pent-up demand meant production levels in many parts of the country – particularly London and the South East – rapidly returned."
In a typical year, approximately 0.01% of the 867,000 sq km seabed around Britain's coastline is dredged for sand and gravel. BMAPA and The Crown Estate, responsible for activities on the sea bed around Britain, continue to report on the extent of licensed and dredged areas as part of their 'Area Involved' initiative, now in its 24th year.
Russell continued: "What is significant is that the original UK Marine Policy Statement recognised the essential nature of marine aggregate supply, which is now reflected in the policies contained within adopted marine plans and the marine licensing decisions that they support. This has provided marine aggregates operators the confidence to make long-term multi-million-pound investments. For example, in the past two years, we have seen two new state-of-the-art ships go into operation and significant investment in marine wharf facilities."
The ability to land large volumes of marine sand and gravel into coastal urban areas, close to the point of demand, often brings significant environmental benefits. These include lower emissions-per-tonne of material landed than the equivalent land-sourced mineral once transport is taken into account and reduced road miles and associated traffic congestion. However, the growing use of rail and river distribution is reinforcing the sustainable contribution these supplies can make to the overall supply of essential construction aggregates.
"In addition, historically 20 to 30% of marine aggregate production from British waters has been exported to France, Belgium and the Netherlands, reflecting the fact that the marine aggregates resources in our neighbours' coastal waters do not contain the coarse sands and gravels required to make concrete. So the ability for the British marine aggregates industry to maintain exports to customers on the near continent is important and, despite extra bureaucracy, indications suggest the export tonnages remained stable following formal departure from the EU at the end of 2020, making a contribution to the nation's balance of payments.
"Besides some significant short-term challenges facing the sector, arguably the greatest challenge for all of us is climate change. As well as the need to transition towards net zero, there is a growing recognition of the need for widescale adaptation to ensure that society, the economy and our environment are prepared for the inevitable changes that will result. Alongside the risks posed by sea-level rise, the increased energy contained within a warming atmosphere is already resulting in more extreme weather events. The ongoing need to protect vulnerable coastlines and the communities, infrastructure and environmental features they support, reinforces the strategic importance of marine aggregate resources."
A copy of the BMAPA Sustainable Development Report 2020/21' can be found here.
