Annual r eport 2002 Annual r eport 2002 - Boskalis

Basic principles of the corporate strategy
Professional expertise and skills
Research and development. Unremitting efforts to develop new techniques and extend our understanding
are of major strategic importance. The Research & Development department (R&D) at Boskalis
has an experienced workforce, simulation and computer models and laboratory facilities. The R&D staff
are regularly to be found at projects and on board ships both in the Netherlands and abroad. A steering
group, that includes representatives from the Board of Management, the operational units and the
technical staff departments, determines priorities and appraises the longer-term plans for R&D.
Engineering capacity. More and more large infrastructure works are being tendered as Design & Construct
projects. Here, the engineering capacity of Boskalis and its own engineering consultancy, Hydronamic bv,
are of major importance. The working methods and possibilities afforded by available equipment are taken
into account at the design stage. As a result, solutions can be proposed that are efficient in terms of costs
and construction time. Boskalis’ engineering capacity is also deployed during the implementation stage.
A large and versatile fleet
Boskalis has a large and versatile fleet. It includes every variety of dredging equipment so that the
right tool can be used at all times. Innovations in the fleet and modifications to existing units keep the
fleet in line with modern requirements. Fleet automation is a highly-developed area, and this means that
productivity during dredging work is high. Meticulous maintenance work is carried out on the fleet and
auxiliary equipment, with modernization and improvements where necessary.
With the exception of the basic equipment in the home markets, all Boskalis equipment is managed centrally
by the Central Technical Department in Papendrecht. The Central Technical Department makes its
units available for operating companies in the Netherlands and abroad. A lot of attention is paid to the
quality of the services provided by the department. The organization is ISM-certified. A Plant Management
System creates the conditions for the optimal deployment and structured management of the ships.
In fleet management, an important element is the safety of the ships and the crews.
Efficient organization and communications
Health, safety and the environment. Boskalis’ policy is to provide the entire workforce with healthy,
safe and environmentally-friendly working conditions. The prevention of hazardous and/or unhealthy
working conditions applies to all workers, including those from subcontractors and suppliers. This
principle is expressed in the Boskalis slogan: “Safety matters”.
In order to raise safety awareness and increase the understanding of safety risks, Boskalis organizes
training courses and information meetings, both at offices and on works. In addition, safety audits are
carried out as the first step towards reducing risks. Concern for environmental protection is a component
of quality control, and of day-to-day thinking and working at Boskalis. The company is continuously
looking at dredging processes in order to make them more environmentally-friendly. It develops
techniques for reducing environmental loads during dredging work.
These activities result in a structural, systematic and transparent approach in the area of safety,
health and the environment. Healthy, safe and environmentally-acceptable working methods require
cooperation and communications, not only within the company but also with third parties, partners
and service providers.
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Annual Report 2002