One of the most contentious aspects of the 1999 Yellow Book was the perceived erosion of the Engineer’s neutrality. In the 1999 edition, when determining claims, the Engineer was often viewed as acting on behalf of the Employer. The 2016 Blue Book attempts to correct this.
Under Sub-Clause 3.7, the Engineer is now explicitly required to act neutrally when making a "Determination." This is a pivotal shift. The contract mandates that the Engineer consults with both parties and makes a fair determination in accordance with the contract terms. While this restores the "FIDIC philosophy" of the Engineer as an impartial adjudicator, it places a heavy burden on the Engineer to document their reasoning thoroughly.
| General Clause | Suggested Particular Condition | |----------------|--------------------------------| | Clause 1.1.4 (Contractor’s Equipment) | List approved dredge types (e.g., "Cutter Suction Dredge minimum 10,000 kW"). | | Clause 4.12 (Unforeseeable Conditions) | Define "baseline geotechnical report" as the sole basis for foreseeability. | | Clause 12.3 (Measurement) | Specify "over-dredging tolerance: 0.5m vertical, 2m horizontal at Contractor’s cost." | | Clause 19 (Force Majeure) | Define "significant weather" as waves >2.5m significant height for 3 consecutive days. |
Before 2016, dredging and reclamation projects often relied on a modified version of the FIDIC Green Book (Short Form) or bespoke government contracts, which frequently led to disputes. The need for a contract tailored specifically to the unique risks of dredging (e.g., unforeseen ground conditions, variable volumes, environmental sensitivity) led FIDIC to publish the 1st Edition of the Blue Book in 2016.
The Blue Book replaced the earlier Form of Contract for Dredging and Reclamation Works (2nd Edition, 2006)—which was actually a separate document often confused with the test version. The 2016 edition is the current, authoritative version.
| Contract | Best for | |----------|-----------| | FIDIC Red Book 1999/2017 | General civil works with engineer-designed project | | FIDIC Yellow Book 2017 | Plant & design-build | | FIDIC Gold Book 2008 | Design, build & operate (DBO) | | FIDIC Emerald Book 2019 | Underground works (tunneling) – includes geotechnical baseline |
The Blue Book remains unique for marine dredging because it handles measurement, tidal variations, and seabed uncertainty.
Understanding the differences prevents misapplication. fidic blue book 2016 pdf
| Feature | Red Book 2017 | Blue Book 2016 | Silver Book 2017 | |---------|---------------|----------------|------------------| | Design responsibility | Employer | Contractor (mostly) | Contractor (full) | | Payment basis | Bill of Quantities (lump sum) | Measured volume (re-measurement) | Lump sum firm price | | Geotechnical risk | Shared (clause 4.12) | Contractor, with limited relief | Contractor entirely | | Defects period | 12 months typical | 6 months (due to marine corrosion) | 12–24 months | | Dispute resolution | DAAB (standing) | DAAB (ad hoc optional) | DAAB (standing) |
The Blue Book is unique in that it assumes re-measurement – unlike the Red Book which assumes a lump sum. Do not use a Red Book for a dredging project, or you will fight endlessly over variations.
The Blue Book (Plant and Design-Build) is distinct from the Red Book because the Contractor is responsible for the design. In the 1999 edition, the Contractor was liable for design errors but the standard of care was often debated.
The 2016 edition (under Sub-Clause 4.1) clarifies the standard. The Contractor must design the Plant to be "fit for the purposes" specified in the Employer's Requirements.
FIDIC Blue Book (officially the Form of Contract for Dredging and Reclamation Works ) is the international standard for marine projects 2016 Second Edition
updated the original 2006 version to better reflect modern industry practices and provide clearer guidance for employers and contractors Slideshare Key Features of the 2016 Edition Dredgers Contract 2nd Ed (2016 Blue-Green Book) - FIDIC
The FIDIC Blue Book 2016 (officially titled the Form of Contract for Dredging and Reclamation Works, Second Edition) is the global industry standard for marine construction projects. Developed in collaboration with the International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC), this edition updates the original 2006 version to better align with modern dredging practices and the broader FIDIC "Rainbow Suite". Key Features of the 2016 Second Edition One of the most contentious aspects of the
The 2016 update introduced several critical changes to improve risk allocation and project management:
"Exceptional Events" Replacement: Following the lead of the Gold Book, the term "Force Majeure" was replaced with "Exceptional Events" to avoid jurisdictional confusion.
Defined Risks (Clause 6.1): All risks are consolidated into a single list, including specific marine risks like piracy, ship interruptions, and hydrological conditions.
Dredging Quantities (Clause 7.3): Unlike the first edition, the 2016 version explicitly allows for extensions of time if actual dredging quantities exceed those stated in the contract, a vital feature for re-measurement contracts.
24/7 Working Rights (Clause 7.5): Reflecting industry reality, contractors are now explicitly entitled to work day and night, including weekends and holidays, unless stated otherwise in the Contract Data.
Limitation of Liability (Clause 13.3): The liability regime was simplified to exclude indirect or consequential losses and include a cap on total liability, aligning it with the Red and Yellow Books. Contract Structure and Use
The Blue Book is designed to be user-friendly, concise (15 clauses), and suitable for non-native English speakers. Before 2016, dredging and reclamation projects often relied
Scope: Primarily for dredging, reclamation, and ancillary marine works. It is less suitable for complex offshore projects that require extensive testing procedures.
Administration: While the Employer often provides the design, the form is flexible enough to accommodate Contractor-designed works.
Engineer's Role: Despite being a two-party contract, it includes an "Engineer" to manage variations, certify payments, and oversee work execution. Dredgers Contract 2nd Ed (2016 Blue-Green Book) - FIDIC
This is a guide to understanding and locating the FIDIC Blue Book 2016 (formally known as the FIDIC Form of Contract for Dredging and Reclamation Works).
Important Legal & Copyright Notice: FIDIC contracts are protected by copyright. You will generally not find a free, legal PDF of the complete book for public download. This guide explains how to obtain it legitimately and what the book contains.
Even with the improved 2016 text, disputes arise. Based on analysis of published arbitration cases (e.g., ICC, LCIA), the top three disputes are: