Groningen provincial council is looking into creating an artificial island off the coast to protect the coastline, Nos television reported on Friday.

The island would help protect the low-lying coastline, according to a provincial document outlining how Groningen could develop up to 2030. A spokesman told Nos there are no concrete plans yet. ‘We have not even spoken to the dredging companies,’ the spokesman said.
A description of the potential island describes it as some 500 hectares with a port and container terminal. This would make deepening sea lanes in the Eems estuary unnecessary.
The province, which says working together with local industry and environmental organisation is crucial, hopes to produce a more concrete plan next year.