Hubbry Logo
BoskalisBoskalisMain
Open search
Boskalis
Community hub
Boskalis
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Boskalis
Boskalis
Boskalis
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a Dutch dredging and heavylift company that provides services relating to the construction and maintenance of maritime infrastructure internationally.[1] The company has one of the world's largest dredging fleets, a large stake in Smit International and owns Dockwise, a large heavylift shipping company.[2]

Key Information

As of 2020, Boskalis employs around 9,900 employees and 650 ships.[3] They operate in over 75 countries in six continents.[4]

History

[edit]

Boskalis (Bos & Kalis) was founded as Johannes Kraaijeveld en van Noordenne in 1910 by Johannes Kraaijeveld and Eliza van Noordenne. During the 1930s, it was renamed NV Baggermaatschappij Bos & Kalis when Gerrit Jan Bos, Wilhelm Bos, Egbertus Dingeman Kalis and Kobus Kalis took over. Throughout much of the interwar period, Boskalis played a major role in the Zuiderzee project. In 1931, the company signed a contract for the dredging of Bromborough Dock. During 1933, Boskalis partnered with the Westminster Dredging Company (based in Fareham, England), which opened business opportunities with West Africa.

In 1970, Boskalis became a public company.[5] during 1978, Boskalis received the designation "Royal".[6] In the 1980s, economic and political circumstances compelled Boskalis to concentrate on its core dredging business.[7]

Across the 1990s, the company embarked on a series of acquisitions, such as its purchase of a 40% interest in rival firm Archirodon Group.[8] During this period, Boskalis was also involved in several major land reclamation projects. In Hong Kong, the company worked on the major land reclamation project for the new Chek Lap Kok airport,[7] while in Singapore it cooperated on a multi-year development program.[9] Addition work during this decade included its involvement in the construction of a gas and container port at Ras Laffan, Qatar.[10]

During 2000, Boskalis and the Dutch maritime construction firm Hollandsche Beton Groep (HBG) explored multiple avenues aimed at bringing together or merging the two businesses, ranging from a hostile takeover to even agreeing terms from a friendly transaction.[11][12] However, even though the European Commission cleared such a deal to proceed, it did not come to fruition, allegedly due to disagreements over the proposed combined enterprise's direction.[13][14] It was speculated that such an arrangement would have created the market leader in the Benelux region (in terms of turnover) as well as one of the five largest European construction companies.[15]

Since 2000

[edit]

By 2007, the company was engaged in two major contracts in Australia — a €300 million contract to deepen the shipping channels of Port Phillip in Melbourne, utilising its dredge the Queen of the Netherlands, and a €50 million contract to expand the harbour at Newcastle.[16][17] The company was also undertaking a €1.1 billion contract to develop a new port in Abu Dhabi.[16]

On 15 September 2008, Boskalis offered €1.11 billion for fellow Dutch maritime company Smit International.[18] Despite the offer being promptly rejected by Smit's board, Boskalis subsequently built a stake of over 25% in the firm[19] and expressed a continuing desire to buy a number of its business units.[20] A revised offer of €1.35 billion was accepted by Smit in January 2010, with Boskalis declaring its offer unconditional that March.[21]

During early 2011, Boskalis acquired the Dutch-based civil engineering firm MNO Vervat.[22][23] In April 2013, Boskalis acquired the Dutch marine transport company Dockwise.[24] That same year, Boskalis completed the sale of its 40 percent stake in Archirodon Group in exchange for $190 million.[25][26]

In October 2014, Egypt signed a $1.5 billion contract with Boskalis, alongside five other multinational firms, to carry out dredging in connection with the expansion of the Suez Canal.[27][28] During late March 2021, a pair of Boskalis tugboats assisted the eleven Egyptian tugs in the dredging and towing operation to free the 400-metre long ship Ever Given, which ran aground in the Suez Canal and got stuck diagonally, therefore blocked the canal between 23 and 29 March 2021, during which time the canal was impassable.[29][30]

Boskalis has played a key role in the delivery of numerous offshore wind power generation schemes, in particular the use of cable-laying ships to connect such farms to land-based energy grids.[31][32] By 2024, half of the company's offshore energy revenues were being generated from work related to offshore wind farms.[33][34]

During 2019, Boskalis announced its intention to divest its worldwide harbor towage interests. Accordingly, the firm sold its stakes in Saam Smit Towage (which operated primarily in Central and South America), Kotug Smith Towage (which operated in Northern Europe), and Keppel Smit Towage, a joint venture with Keppel Offshore in Singapore.[35][36]

In early 2022, HAL Investments approached Boskalis with an offer to purchase the latter; this deal valued the firm at €4.3 billion.[37] As a result of the completion of this transaction, under which HAL Investments obtained in excess of 95 percent of all shares in the Boskalis, the latter was delisted from Euronext Amsterdam.[38]

During the early 2020s, Boskalis has been one of several companies working on Malmporten, Sweden’s largest dredging projects in recent decades.[39][40]

The New Manila International Airport has been the largest land reclamation project in Boskalis’ dredging history on the coastal areas 35 km north of the capital Manila. On 15 September 2023, Boskalis’ Group Director, Pim van der Knaap, accepted the International Association of Dredging Companies Safety Award 2023 from IADC’s President Frank Verhoeven for the new and improved waterbox, used for sandfill areas.[41]

Controversies

[edit]

During the early 2010s, Boskalis was publicly accused of bribing Mauritian officials in order to obtain certain contracts in the nation.[42][43] In October 2013, the company was fined by a Mauritian court.[44][45]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Boskalis

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a Dutch multinational corporation founded in 1910 in Sliedrecht, Netherlands, and headquartered in Papendrecht, specializing as a leading global provider of dredging, maritime infrastructure, and maritime services.
The company employs over 11,000 personnel and maintains a fleet of more than 500 vessels and pieces of floating equipment, enabling operations across 94 countries on six continents.
Its core activities encompass port and waterway development, land reclamation, coastal defense, offshore energy installations, towage, salvage, and subsea services, with a focus on innovative solutions for infrastructure and energy transition demands.
Boskalis has executed landmark projects, including contributions to the Dutch Delta Works flood protection system in the 1950s and the Zuiderzee reclamation efforts earlier in the century, alongside modern endeavors such as constructing 29 offshore wind farms worldwide in 2023, which accounted for half of its offshore revenue that year.
Through strategic acquisitions like SMIT Internationale in 2010 and Dockwise in 2013, the firm has expanded its capabilities in heavy marine transport and salvage, solidifying its position in the sector amid growing global trade and climate adaptation needs.

History

Founding and early development (1910–1970)

Boskalis was established in 1910 in Sliedrecht, , by a group of local families as a company, coinciding with the emergence of the Dutch industry in the region. From its inception, the firm operated a substantial initial fleet focused on and removal for and . Between 1914 and 1930, Boskalis contributed to the , a massive and enclosure initiative that transformed part of the into and strengthened coastal defenses against flooding, representing one of the earliest large-scale applications of its capabilities. This period marked the company's initial growth amid post-World War I infrastructure demands in the . In 1933, Boskalis expanded internationally by founding the Westminster Dredging Company in , which facilitated entry into the British market and subsequent opportunities in . Technological advancements propelled further development in the mid-20th century. In , Boskalis introduced Europe's first diesel-electric bucket dredger, enhancing in excavation operations. The 1950s saw collaborations with Westminster on projects across , , and the , broadening its scope beyond domestic waterways. Following the devastating , Boskalis played a pivotal role in the program, deploying innovative equipment such as the James 47, Europe's inaugural , to rebuild and fortify the Dutch delta region. These efforts solidified Boskalis's reputation for technical innovation and reliability in maritime infrastructure by the close of the .

Post-IPO expansion and key acquisitions (1971–2000)

Following its on the Stock Exchange in 1971, Boskalis focused on strengthening its position in the sector amid economic challenges, including a in the that prompted a strategic emphasis on core operations and fleet modernization. The company renewed its dredging fleet to enhance and competitiveness, while expanding internationally through participation in major projects. Key acquisitions in the 1980s bolstered Boskalis' domestic capabilities. In 1985, it acquired the established Dutch dredging firm Breejenbout, integrating its operations and equipment into Boskalis' portfolio. This was followed in 1988 by the takeover of Zanen Verstoep, another prominent Dutch dredging company, which further consolidated Boskalis' market share in the and added specialized assets. The 1990s marked a period of aggressive international expansion through multiple acquisitions, enhancing Boskalis' presence across Europe. These included Baggermij Holland in the Netherlands, Heinrich Hirdes GmbH in Germany (acquired in 1991), Terramare and Juslenius in Finland, and the dredging activities of Skanska in Sweden. Additionally, Boskalis acquired a 40% stake in the Greek firm Archirodon Group, supporting growth in Mediterranean and global projects. This acquisition strategy coincided with involvement in high-profile ventures, such as land reclamation for Hong Kong International Airport, the Øresund Tunnel linking Denmark and Sweden, port expansions in Singapore, and the Bahia Blanca port in Argentina, which underscored Boskalis' shift toward large-scale international dredging and reclamation. By 2000, these moves had positioned Boskalis as a diversified leader in maritime infrastructure, with a strengthened European footprint and capabilities for complex cross-border initiatives.

Modern growth and diversification (2001–present)

Following the expansion in the late 20th century, Boskalis pursued further growth in the early through organic development and targeted acquisitions in and related , solidifying its position in core maritime markets. A landmark diversification occurred in 2010 with the acquisition of SMIT Internationale, which integrated salvage, towage, and heavy marine transport capabilities into Boskalis' operations, broadening its service portfolio beyond traditional . Subsequent years saw accelerated diversification into offshore energy sectors via strategic purchases, including in 2013 for heavy-lift transport, a 50% stake in VBMS for subsea cable installation, and Fairmount Marine in 2014 for specialized towage. By 2016, Boskalis acquired STRABAG Wasserbau's assets and full ownership of VBMS, enhancing subsea infrastructure expertise; this was followed by the 2017 purchase of Gardline Group, adding services for oil, gas, and emerging renewables markets. Further bolstering subsea and geotechnical capabilities came with a 62.5% stake in Horizon Group in 2019 and Rever Offshore's subsea business in 2021. In alignment with global trends toward and climate adaptation, Boskalis strategically invested in offshore renewables, including infrastructure and subsea services, while maintaining leadership in for coastal protection and port development. This focus drove sustained expansion, exemplified by the acquisition of the remaining stake in Smit Lamnalco for terminal towage and ALP Maritime's oceangoing tugs for offshore heavy transport. By , these efforts contributed to a record order book of €6.992 billion, with offshore energy revenue reaching €2 billion—half from renewables projects such as Revolution Wind in the and multiple German wind farms—reflecting robust diversification and market positioning.

Business Operations

Dredging and inland infrastructure

Boskalis's Dredging & Inland Infra division specializes in the construction, maintenance, and expansion of ports, waterways, and associated infrastructure, leveraging a fleet of specialized vessels including trailing suction hopper dredgers, cutter suction dredgers, and water injection dredgers. These operations involve deepening navigation channels, creating access for larger vessels, and reclaiming land through hydraulic fill techniques, with the company positioning itself as a global market leader in these activities conducted across 94 countries. In 2024, the division generated revenue of €2.2 billion, primarily from hopper dredging contracts in regions such as the Middle East, Far East, and Europe, though slightly down from €2.3 billion in 2023 due to project phasing. Inland infrastructure efforts focus on Dutch and European projects, including the and of channels, canals, quay walls, locks, sluices, and defenses to mitigate high river levels and heavy rainfall impacts. The division also handles dry earthworks such as roads, railways, tunnels, and bridges, drawing on over a century of experience in these areas, often integrating for foundation preparation like riverbed leveling and excavation. Recent examples include two Netherlands-based contracts awarded in 2023 valued at approximately €75 million for upgrades, alongside maintenance dredging in Guyana's Berbice River to ensure navigational safety. Land reclamation forms a core component, where dredged materials are pumped or rainbowed to create new land for , industrial zones, or environmental restoration, incorporating soil improvement methods to enhance stability. Notable scale includes projects like the Ras Laffan port expansion in , involving 24 million cubic meters of waterway and 29 million cubic meters of reclamation for tank storage and terminals. In the first half of 2025, the division maintained stable revenue with strong EBITDA growth, supported by multi-year contracts such as a large-scale initiative in deploying multiple vessels for works. These activities emphasize precision and environmental compliance, though execution risks from weather and regulatory changes persist in cyclical markets.

Offshore energy and renewables

Boskalis delivers specialized offshore services to the energy sector, encompassing oil and gas platforms alongside renewable infrastructure such as farms and subsea power interconnectors. These include heavy-lift transportation, marine installation, subsea , and cable laying, leveraging a fleet equipped for foundation installation, assembly, and decommissioning. The company's involvement supports the global by enabling renewable power generation, with a focus on reducing reliance on fossil fuels through scalable offshore projects. In offshore wind, Boskalis has participated in more than 100 projects across and the , handling tasks from site preparation to component installation. Notable examples include the Veja Mate off , where the company installed monopiles weighing up to 1,302 tonnes using specialized grippers, marking one of the largest such operations at the time. For the Bay project in , Boskalis managed foundation works for turbines featuring suction bucket jackets and 66 kV export cables. In 2023, the firm secured its 100th offshore wind contract, involving foundation and cable installation using crane vessels. Recent activities encompass boulder clearance for the 1.14 GW Baltica 2 off , initiated in August 2025 with the vessel BOKA , preparing for subsequent cable and works. Additionally, Boskalis won a €450 million contract in prior years for monopile foundations and substation installation at an undisclosed site. Subsea cable operations form a core competency, with Boskalis having installed over 5,000 km of export and inter-array cables for renewable projects via its Subsea Cables & Flexibles division (formerly VBMS). This includes high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) and direct current (HVDC) systems linking wind farms to onshore grids, alongside maintenance for balance-of-plant assets. The division supports oil and gas surface, umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF) but increasingly prioritizes renewables, as evidenced by cable works tied to U.S. projects like Revolution Wind, bolstered by a 2022 office opening in Providence, Rhode Island, to expand domestic supply chain capabilities. In the first half of 2025, offshore heavy lifting and subsea cables segments reported strong results, driven by nearing completion of major U.S. wind installations. Beyond wind, Boskalis aids other renewables through survey, clearance, and decommissioning services, positioning it for end-of-life removal of aging structures to facilitate repowering. These efforts align with broader for clean energy delivery, though the company's dual role in fossil fuels and renewables reflects pragmatic adaptation to market demands rather than exclusive green focus.

Maritime services including towage and salvage

Boskalis's maritime services include towage and salvage operations, delivered primarily through subsidiaries SMIT Salvage and Smit Lamnalco, supporting global activities, offshore terminal management, and marine emergency responses. These capabilities draw on a fleet of specialized vessels and a network of response centers, enabling rapid intervention for vessel distress, cargo recovery, and . SMIT Salvage, established in 1842 and acquired by Boskalis in 2010 as part of SMIT Internationale, specializes in 24/7 global emergency response, ship salvage, wreck removal, and environmental care. Operations are coordinated from four regional centers in , , , and , integrating Boskalis's and heavy-lift assets for complex recoveries involving bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, and offshore installations. Key capabilities emphasize sustainable outcomes, such as oil transfer and pollution prevention, aligning with international standards for protection. Notable salvage efforts include the 2023 extraction of the derelict FSO Safer off Yemen's coast, averting a spill of approximately 180 million liters of crude oil from the 50-year-old facility, and the 2012 wreck removal of the Baltic Ace near Rotterdam, which involved recovering the vessel sunk with 1,400 vehicles after a collision on December 5. Other operations encompass the 2016 salvage of the Modern Express car carrier in the Bay of Biscay and multi-year contracts, such as those secured with the U.S. Navy in 2023 for exclusive marine salvage support. SMIT Salvage has also executed high-profile interventions like the 2021 refloating of the Ever Given in the Suez Canal, detailed in a Boskalis-published account of the 6-day operation involving specialized tugs and dredgers. In towage, Boskalis maintains ocean towage with powerful tugs designed for long-distance transport of mega-structures, including floating production units, storage, and offloading vessels (FPSOs). Smit Lamnalco, a Boskalis entity with over 50 years of experience, focuses on terminal and port towage, providing berthing for LNG carriers using escort and terminal tugs, alongside offshore support in open waters. Operating in more than 20 countries with a workforce of about 2,000 and a fleet surpassing 140 vessels, these services cater to oil and gas terminals. While Boskalis divested select harbor towage assets, including its Australia and Papua New Guinea operations to Boluda in October 2025 for US$64 million, core towage persists through retained specialized capabilities. Demand for towage and salvage drove a 14% revenue rise to €2.4 billion in the first half of 2025.

Major Projects and Achievements

Iconic dredging and land reclamation initiatives

Boskalis has executed several landmark dredging and land reclamation projects that have expanded coastlines, enabled infrastructure development, and addressed capacity constraints in densely populated regions. These initiatives often involve massive volumes of dredged material, advanced hydraulic placement techniques, and collaboration with partners to mitigate environmental impacts while meeting engineering demands. Key examples demonstrate the company's expertise in creating viable land from marine environments for ports, airports, and urban extensions. One of Boskalis's most significant contributions was the for Hong Kong's , where the company dredged and placed 250 million cubic meters of material to enlarge a 350-hectare hilly island into a 1,248-hectare platform capable of supporting two runways and handling growing air traffic. The project, finalized in January 1996, utilized trailing suction hopper dredgers and excavation methods to level terrain, transforming the site into a foundational asset for Hong Kong's aviation hub. In the , Boskalis participated in the 2 port expansion through the PUMA joint venture with , creating 2,000 hectares of new land from 2008 to 2013 to accommodate next-generation container vessels. The effort included port basins to a depth of -20 meters NAP, constructing 11 kilometers of sea defenses with 7 million tons of rock (including 1.5 million tons recycled), and building quay walls, railways, and roads using 140,000 tons of asphalt and 110,000 tons of aggregate. This expansion doubled the Port of Rotterdam's capacity while incorporating sustainable practices like material recycling, with Boskalis maintaining defenses for five years post-completion. Boskalis also handled dredging and reclamation for Songdo International City in , , under a contract from valued at approximately EUR 80 million. The project involved hydraulically filling new land with 23 million cubic meters of sand using the Oranje, supporting residential and commercial development and completing by late 2014. This initiative exemplified Boskalis's capacity for precise, large-scale urban waterfront creation in .

Offshore energy and infrastructure contributions

Boskalis provides comprehensive services for offshore energy projects, including the transportation, installation, and maintenance of components, oil and gas platforms, and subsea . The company's Offshore Energy division has driven substantial revenue growth, with offshore accounting for approximately 50% of its segment revenue in 2023. In 2024, this division contributed significantly to the firm's record EBITDA of €1.3 billion, supported by contracts in installation and subsea works. In , Boskalis has participated in more than 100 offshore , specializing in foundation and substation installations using heavy-lift vessels and crane technology. Notable examples include the Wikinger offshore in the , where it transported and installed 70 monopile foundations for generators between 2016 and 2017. For the Borssele 1 and 2 off the coast, Boskalis laid two 61-kilometer export cables connecting the farms to the onshore grid in 2018. Recent U.S. projects encompass the South Fork Wind and Revolution Wind farms, involving the transport and installation of monopiles and three offshore substations starting in 2022. In , it secured a €450 million contract in 2023 for monopile and substation work on a offshore . Additionally, Boskalis contributed cable installation for the Ostwind 2 grid connection project in . For conventional offshore energy, Boskalis delivers integrated solutions for oil and gas facility installations, including fixed and floating production units, as well as subsea and decommissioning. Its subsea services encompass inspection, repair, maintenance, and works, such as the installation of cooling seawater pipelines for the Takoradi thermal power plant in . In , the company constructed a 24-inch crossing the in , linking production fields to southern markets. A 2025 joint venture with won a €1.2 billion contract for a major offshore in , enhancing regional energy supply security. Boskalis also supported the Porthos CO2 transport and storage project by trenches off the Dutch in 2025, facilitating carbon capture .

Financial Performance

Historical overview and key metrics

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., founded in as a contractor in the , transitioned to a with its listing on in 1971, enabling capital access for expansion into international maritime projects. Early financial growth was driven by domestic and regional contracts, with scaling through the and 1980s amid global port and demands, though specific pre-2000 figures reflect modest operations compared to modern scales, as the company navigated oil crises and economic cycles. Post-2000, Boskalis achieved accelerated revenue expansion via acquisitions like SMIT Internationale in 2010 and diversification into offshore energy, culminating in record performances from 2021 onward amid renewables and subsea booms. Net profits rebounded from lows, with 2023 marking a historic high due to high fleet utilization and favorable contracting. Key historical metrics illustrate this trajectory, particularly in recent years where EBITDA margins strengthened from operational efficiencies and market recovery:
YearRevenue (EUR million)EBITDA (EUR million)Net Profit (EUR million)
20202,52540490 (adjusted)
20212,957462151
20223,578604241
20234,2831,016601
20244,3621,303781
These figures, reported in annual results, highlight a compound annual revenue growth exceeding 14% from 2020 to 2024, supported by an surpassing EUR 7 billion by 2024. The company's net financial position remained robust, ending 2024 with positive cash flows funding dividends and fleet investments without undue leverage.

Recent results and market position (2020–2025)

In 2020, Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. reported of €2.525 billion and a net loss attributable to shareholders of €97 million, primarily due to exceptional impairment charges amid the downturn and low commodity prices affecting offshore activities, though operational profit stood at €90 million reflecting resilience in core operations. Recovery accelerated in 2021 with rising to €2.957 billion and net profit reaching €151 million, supported by higher utilization and stabilizing offshore energy demand. By 2022, grew to €3.578 billion and net profit to €241 million, driven by increased project awards in maritime infrastructure and early offshore wind contracts. The period culminated in record results for 2023 and , with revenue expanding to €4.283 billion and net profit surging to €601 million in 2023, followed by €4.362 billion in revenue and €781 million net profit in , fueled by robust demand across , offshore (including renewables), and maritime services segments. EBITDA doubled from €604 million in 2022 to €1.303 billion in , underscoring operational leverage and fleet efficiency gains. In the first half of 2025, revenue reached €2.35 billion (up 14% year-over-year) with net profit increasing 43%, maintaining momentum despite seasonal factors, and a net cash position of €565 million affirming financial strength.
YearRevenue (€ million)Net Profit (€ million)Order Book (€ million)
20202,525-975,306
20212,9571515,406
20223,5782416,107
20234,2836016,007
20244,3627816,992
Boskalis solidified its position as a global leader in and offshore services, commanding significant in expansion and projects while expanding in offshore wind installation and subsea services through acquisitions like Smit Lamnalco (2024) and Rever Offshore, enhancing capabilities in Northwest Europe, , and the . The order book peaked at €7 billion by end-2024 before adjusting to €6.2 billion mid-2025, with approximately 25% tied to renewables and , signaling sustained visibility amid favorable mid- to long-term demand for and maritime trade growth. A of €4.25 billion in 2025 reflects investor confidence in its diversified portfolio and above 50%.

Controversies and Criticisms

Environmental and social impact allegations

Boskalis, as a major dredging contractor, has faced allegations of environmental harm from sediment disturbance, habitat loss, and marine ecosystem disruption in projects involving port expansions and . In the project in the , initiated in 2020, Boskalis secured a €1.5 billion contract for in , which NGOs claim has caused severe environmental damage including the destruction of fishing grounds and habitats critical for local . The project's reportedly underestimated by factors that could render the site vulnerable to flooding, exacerbating long-term ecological risks, according to a 2023 report. Social impact allegations in the same Manila Bay project include displacement of fishing communities reliant on the bay for livelihoods, with reports of inadequate consultation and ignored warnings from prior assessments about socioeconomic fallout. Global Witness documented cases where reclamation activities led to fish stock declines due to noise pollution and sedimentation, affecting thousands of fishers whose catches dropped significantly post-dredging commencement in 2022. In , Boskalis's dredging for the New Port expansion, ongoing since 2018, has been accused of devastating local fisheries through water that prevents feeding and spawning, with catches in affected areas like Kodingareng district declining by up to 80%. Both ENDS, representing impacted ers, filed a 2020 lawsuit in the alleging Boskalis failed to disclose required social and environmental impact assessments under guidelines, though a Rotterdam court ruled in September 2020 that the company was not obligated to release the documents. Additional environmental concerns arose in the in 2023, where Boskalis's vessel Oranje was protested for involvement in reclamation linked to alleged at Gulhifalhu , including damage and from operations. These cases, primarily raised by environmental NGOs, highlight recurring claims of insufficient for dredging's inherent effects on marine habitats, though independent verification of damage extents varies.

Company responses and project benefits

Boskalis maintains that its projects incorporate environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) aligned with international standards, including mitigation measures to minimize adverse effects on local communities and ecosystems. The company emphasizes proactive management of social risks through local , job creation, and skills training programs, aiming to generate socio-economic value in operational regions. In its framework, Boskalis commits to offsetting negative impacts while enhancing positive contributions, such as through that leverage ecosystems for coastal defense and habitat restoration. In response to allegations of inadequate due diligence in the land reclamation project, Boskalis stated that it performed an extensive ESIA during the early contractor involvement phase, adhering to the highest international benchmarks, prior to securing Dutch in May 2022. The firm highlighted of numerous environmental and social safeguards during execution, completing the 1,700-hectare development in 2024, which supports expanded aviation capacity and regional economic connectivity in the . Despite criticisms from NGOs like regarding climate vulnerability and community displacement risks, Boskalis affirmed compliance with guidelines via the insured process. Regarding the 2015 Suez Canal expansion, Boskalis and peer firm rebutted claims in the "Dredging in the Dark" report by asserting that project-specific assessments were conducted under Egyptian regulatory frameworks, with considerations integrated into contractual obligations from the client, the . The companies argued that operations followed established industry practices for high-risk environments, prioritizing efficiency in the USD 1.5 billion while mitigating identified social impacts, such as labor conditions. For the Indonesia sand dredging operations supporting the Makassar New Port Container Terminal, Boskalis proceeded amid protests from affected fishermen, with a Dutch court in September 2020 ruling that the company was not obligated to disclose internal social and environmental risk documents requested by NGO Both ENDS, preserving commercial confidentiality while implying proprietary assessments existed. In cases of direct conflict, such as the 2020 Molotov cocktail attack on a Boskalis dredger by local fishers, the firm continued work under client protection, underscoring operational resilience. Project benefits include enabling and growth, as in expansions that facilitate 10 million cubic meters of transport for enhanced hubs, boosting GDP through improved connectivity. In offshore , Boskalis contributions to foundations and installation support deployment, expanding access to low-carbon power and aiding global decarbonization targets, with the firm targeting operational climate neutrality by 2050. Coastal projects, such as the 40-kilometer reinforcement in and using nourishment, combat affecting millions, exemplifying "Building with Nature" approaches that restore ecosystems and protect populations from sea-level rise. These initiatives generate thousands of local jobs and stimulate supply chains, outweighing localized disruptions when managed with mitigation.

References

  1. https://boskalis.com/about-us/history
  2. https://boskalis.com/about-us/company-profile
  3. https://boskalis.com/activities
  4. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/boskalis-reports-historic-record-breaking-year-79931
  5. https://www.companieshistory.com/royal-boskalis/
  6. https://dredgepoint.org/dredging-database/owners/breejenbout
  7. https://dredgepoint.org/dredging-database/owners/zanen-verstoep
  8. https://dredgepoint.org/dredging-database/owners/koninklijke-boskalis-westminster-nv
  9. https://boskalis.com/media/w5cd4ctw/732544.pdf
  10. https://hirdes.boskalis.com/en/about-hirdes/
  11. https://boskalis.com/about-us/strategy
  12. https://boskalis.com/media/fsfnkgdo/boskalis-annual-review-2024_lr.pdf
  13. https://boskalis.com/activities/dredging
  14. https://boskalis.com/about-us/fleet-and-equipment/dredgers/various-dredging-vessels-and-equipment
  15. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects
  16. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/record-breaking-boskalis-2024-annual-results-ebitda-eur-1-3-billion-and-net-profit-eur-781-million
  17. https://boskalis.com/markets/infrastructure/inland-ports-and-waterways
  18. https://boskalis.com/markets/infrastructure/roads-and-railways
  19. https://boskalis.com/markets/infrastructure/tunnels-and-bridges
  20. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-awarded-eur-75-million-worth-of-infrastructure-projects-in-the-netherlands
  21. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/maintenance-dredging-berbice-river
  22. https://boskalis.com/markets/infrastructure/land-reclamation
  23. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/port-expansion-ras-laffan
  24. https://www.dredgingtoday.com/2025/08/14/strong-first-half-of-the-year-for-boskalis/
  25. https://boskalis.com/activities/dredging/construction-and-maintenance-of-ports
  26. https://boskalis.com/activities/offshore-energy
  27. https://boskalis.com/media/mdpbo4hn/boskalis_offshore_energy_solutions__brochure.pdf
  28. https://boskalis.com/markets/offshore-energy/offshore-wind
  29. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/offshore-wind-farm-monopile-installation-veja-mate
  30. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/aberdeen-bay-offshore-windfarm-project
  31. https://w3.windfair.net/wind-energy/pr/42909-boskalis-offshore-contract-wind-farm-vessel-usa-cable-laying-transportation-installation-crane-transport
  32. https://www.offshorewind.biz/2025/08/19/boskalis-kicks-off-baltica-2-boulder-clearance-work-offshore-poland/
  33. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-receives-eur-450-million-offshore-wind-project
  34. https://boskalis.com/activities/offshore-energy/subsea-cables
  35. https://www.offshorewind.biz/companies/boskalis/
  36. https://revolution-wind.com/news/2022/06/boskalis
  37. https://www.renews.biz/102472/boskalis-offshore-energy-drives-strong-first-half/
  38. https://boskalis.com/media/jevdixle/boskalis-offshore-wind-april-2023.pdf
  39. https://boskalis.com/sustainability/contributing-to-society/advance-the-energy-transition
  40. https://boskalis.com/activities/salvage
  41. https://boskalis.com/activities/towage
  42. https://smit.com/
  43. https://smit.com/about-us/company-profile
  44. https://boskalis.com/sustainability/contributing-to-society/salvage-and-protecting-marine-ecosystems
  45. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-subsidiary-smit-salvage-acquires-two-multi-year-marine-salvage-contracts-from-u-s-navy
  46. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/book-published-by-boskalis-about-the-salvage-of-the-ever-given
  47. https://boskalis.com/about-us/fleet-and-equipment/offshore-vessels/ocean-towage-tugs
  48. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/boluda-acquires-boskalis-australia-and-papua-new-guinea-business-86321
  49. https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/boskalis-finds-buyer-for-smit-lamnalco-operations-in-australia-raises-global-profits-85806
  50. https://boskalis.com/activities/dredging/land-reclamation
  51. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/land-reclamation-check-lap-kok-airport-hong-kong
  52. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/port-expansion-maasvlakte-2
  53. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/dredging-and-reclamation-songdo-international-city
  54. https://boskalis.com/markets/offshore-energy
  55. https://www.offshorewind.biz/2024/03/12/boskalis-reports-record-2023-net-profit-increase-half-of-offshore-energy-revenue-came-from-offshore-wind/
  56. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/transport-and-installation-turbine-foundations-offshore-wind-farm-wikinger
  57. https://www.windsystemsmag.com/boskalis-wins-contract-for-ostwind-2-grid-connections/
  58. https://boskalis.com/markets/offshore-energy/offshore-oil-gas
  59. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/installation-gas-pipeline-takoradi
  60. https://boskalis.com/activities/offshore-energy/subsea-services
  61. https://boskalis.com/about-us/projects/pipeline-crossing-strait-of-magellan
  62. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-allseas-consortium-awarded-large-offshore-natural-gas-pipeline-project-in-taiwan
  63. https://breakbulk.com/articles/boskalis-allseas-win-taiwan-pipeline-contract
  64. https://dredgewire.com/boskalis-completes-pipeline-trench-dredging-for-porthos-co2-transport-and-storage-project/
  65. https://www.statista.com/statistics/791589/revenue-of-boskalis-by-market/
  66. https://www.statista.com/statistics/791561/ebitda-of-boskalis/
  67. https://boskalis.com/media/gkzmb2cd/boskalis_annual_report_2019_lr.pdf
  68. https://gardline.com/about-us/news/boskalis-launches-public-offer-for-smit
  69. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-annual-results-2023-historic-record-breaking-year-with-more-than-eur-1-billion-ebitda-and-eur-600-million-net-profit
  70. https://boskalis.com/about-us/company-profile/financials
  71. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-half-year-figures-2024-historically-high-result-after-busy-and-good-first-half-year
  72. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-operationally-strong-2020-record-order-book-and-very-solid-financial-position
  73. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-annual-results-2021-strong-increase-in-revenue-and-result
  74. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-annual-results-2022-sharp-profit-increase-with-strong-increase-in-revenue
  75. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/half-year-results-2025-boskalis-posts-strong-performance
  76. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-bolsters-market-position-in-subsea-services-through-acquisition-rever-offshore
  77. https://eulerpool.com/en/stock/Koninklijke-Boskalis-Westminster-Stock-NL0000852580/Marketcapitalization
  78. https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/holding-corporates-account/runaway-risk/
  79. https://www.globalwitness.org/en/press-releases/dutch-construction-companies-will-profit-philippines-mega-airport-which-devastating-local-communities-and-environment/
  80. https://dredgewire.com/dutch-envoy-gauges-impact-of-dredging-in-manila-bay/
  81. https://news.mongabay.com/2020/08/indonesian-fishers-opposed-to-dredging-project-hit-by-criminalization-bid/
  82. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/netherlands-ngo-files-suit-against-boskalis-for-failing-to-provide-social-and-environmental-assessments-for-its-dredging-operations-in-indonesia/
  83. https://savemaldives.net/boskalis-not-welcome-in-maldives/
  84. https://www.contestedports.com/makassar-indonesia/
  85. https://boskalis.com/sustainability/environmental-and-social/social-and-community-impact
  86. https://boskalis.com/media/w1ulhez0/environmental_and_social_policy_2023.pdf
  87. https://boskalis.com/press/press-releases-and-company-news/boskalis-project-in-manila-receives-insurance-from-the-dutch-state
  88. https://boskalis.com/media/3e2kuvpd/boskalis-sustainability-report-2024.pdf
  89. https://www.sustainableviews.com/ngo-claims-boskalis-dodged-due-diligence-in-manila-airport-project-bid-262c00d4/
  90. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/boskalis-and-van-oord-response-to-dredging-in-the-dark/
  91. https://www.somo.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Dredging-in-the-Dark.pdf
  92. https://www.bothends.org/en/Whats-new/Press/Boskalis-doesn-t-have-to-share-documents-on-controversial-project-fishing-communities-will-not-get-crucial-information/
  93. https://swzmaritime.nl/news/2020/09/15/boskalis-dredger-attacked-with-molotov-cocktails/
  94. https://boskalis.com/media/nv1bzgq4/centrepoint-of-indonesia.pdf
  95. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/boskalis-protects-vulnerable-coastline-in-benin-and-togo/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.