Thomas Gierlevsen

Working with waves, coastlines, and harbours has always fascinated me, especially the immense natural forces unleashed during storms and storm surges. As a young engineering student, it was natural for me to pursue this direction, and now – 30 years later – I am grateful to have dedicated my career to coastal engineering, harbours, and marine structures (specially design of breakwaters).

My early career was characterised by specialized work with numerical wave modelling and physical model testing at DHI. Later, at COWI, I developed a strong interest in project management and in driving progress on complex coastal and harbour projects, where various technical disciplines interact, and where authority approval processes and stakeholder management play a key role.

I place great emphasis on developing a general understanding of other fields of expertise and giving space to the various areas of expertise in a project. The optimal solution often involves a compromise between multiple considerations across disciplines.

It is crucial for me to understand the client’s expectations and needs before making recommendations and proposing solutions. Equally important is understanding the physical processes at play when waves and storm surges rage against a coastline or harbour.

With a combination of high technical expertisewithin port & coastal engineering and a broad understanding of projects, I can communicate complex technical topics in a clear and understandable manner. I hope that my skills will contribute to well-functioning harbours and robust, well-thought-out solutions to future challenges in coastal protection and climate adaptation.