ONE DEME #4 2022 English

#4 2022 ENGLISH PUBLISHER: DEME COMMUNICATIONS

COVER STORY PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Abu Qir 2, Egypt

When you create land it is pure magic

‘Orion’ powers into the fleet Heralding a new era in the offshore energy industry, our remarkable offshore installation vessel ‘Orion’ has officially entered the DEME fleet – marking a major milestone in the Group’s history.

Read more about it on page 4

Project Spotlight New Lock Terneuzen

One DEME team makes solid progress, despite the challenges

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Project Spotlight de Vries & van de Wiel

Amazing projects, Amazing people!

SNAPSHOT

Meet the DEME Concessions team

28 14 Meet the fleet

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Agile and industrious ‘Antigoon’ defies her age thanks to first-rate captain and crew

EDITORIAL

We are always One DEME, One Team and our people always come first. Deeply moved by the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine, DEME knew our colleagues and their families urgently needed help and we immediately put a plan in place.

We managed to bring 120 women and children to safety, and in the months that followed two babies have already been born in our DEME hotel in Bulgaria. Fortunately, our Ukrainian colleagues are all accounted for, and we are continuing to support them and their families wherever we can.

Some of our Ukrainian colleagues are also part of the crew of our new offshore installation vessel – ‘Orion’ – which has now entered the DEME fleet. Orion’s godmother Mrs Amélie Michel, spouse of Charles Michel, President of the European Council, officially named ‘Orion’ at a traditional DEME ceremony held on April 29. We all had a wonderful day and it was fantastic to see our colleagues again at the ‘Orion’ Vision Day when more than 1,000 people attended! ‘Orion’ is now working its first project, the Arcadis Ost offshore wind farm in Germany.

OUR MIGHTY ‘ORION’ DAZZLES THE CROWDS

Speaking for the whole management team, we are very proud of this ground-breaking vessel, and more importantly, we are proud of everyone involved – the designers, engineers, the New Build Department, project team, the crew, the shipbuilder, our Board… we are absolutely convinced the offshore energy industry is entering a new era because of this iconic ship. Already with a packed project schedule, ‘Orion’ is giving us a competitive edge.

This is what makes DEME different – we have the courage and the vision to be a genuine pioneer.

breaking hard rock in the port of Leixões in Portugal.

A SECOND ‘LIVING STONE’

Our legendary cable layer ‘Living Stone’ will soon be accompanied by the equally impressive vessel ‘Viking Neptun’. This investment again confirms DEME’s mission to build futureproof, sustainable and environmentally-­ friendly vessels to support the offshore wind industry. On top of this investment, we have taken the decision to upgrade our two sister vessels – known for their prowess installing turbines – ‘Sea Installer’ and ‘Sea Challenger’.

Their crane capacity will be increased to 1,600 tonnes, which enables them to handle the next generation of mega wind turbines.

DEME has long understood the importance of moving away from the world’s dependency on fossil fuels and accelerating the transition towards renewable energy. The shift to carbon-neutral, greener energy needs to be made as soon as possible and it is an honour to be leading a company which is taking such a proactive role in the energy transition.

As mentioned, we do not shy away from making the necessary DEME is poised investments to sup‘SPARTACUS’ for the next major port the energy tran– ALREADY step in its evolution sition and at the same BREAKING RECORDS time, we are willing – the stock listing.

DEME’s long-term to take bold steps to vision for a more Becoming listed on explore the potential sustainable company Euronext Brussels of new industries, and indeed, a more just like we did in will give DEME the sustainable world is the offshore wind demonstrated by our necessary and direct sector more than 20 willingness to make visibility it needs to years ago! Put simply, these investments for in the beginning drive its strategy and the future. ‘Orion’ DEME was a conis the first of our ambitions forward tracting group with radical new offshore and it will underscore a strong focus on installation vessels, trying to expand our the true value of soon we will also business, but we were have ‘Green Jade’ too. the company. always a contractor Last year we were with a difference. also welcoming our We had a laser focus powerful new cutter on long-term sustain­ suction dredger ability, not just defined by creating a sustain‘Spartacus’. Again, another exceptional vessel able business but also in the wider context shaking up the industry. ‘Spartacus’ also – a sustainable planet. This led us to consider has the ability to run on LNG and several our activities and what they should be in the innovative features have been introduced to future. We took into account our own goals reduce emissions and make these vessels as and the Sustainable Development Goals energy efficient as possible. ‘Spartacus’ has of the UN such as a rising sea level, a growalready broken all of our previous records ing opulation, reduction of CO2 emissions, pumping sand in Abu Qir, and now its cutting power is being tested to the extreme, and the scarcity of natural resources.

2 – EDITORIAL

TEAM CONCESSIONS – MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

In this edition you will see how DEME Concessions embodies this spirit, making sure that we can benefit from first-mover advantage.

DEME Concessions is spearheading the activities where we know we can make a difference, for example, through our deep-sea sustainable minerals company GSR. Their projects of course generate work for the Group and our entities, but they also support our ambitions.

The team’s recent successes make me extremely proud. ScotWind is a really big win! In a consortium, DEME Concessions has been awarded 2 GW worth of option areas in Scotland’s highly competitive seabed leasing process, a significant part of which is related to floating offshore wind – the next step in the development of the sector – and again

one where we are at the forefront. We were up against stiff competition from the utilities and energy giants. But DEME’s ability to come up with smart solutions and focus on local content saw us triumph. This shows how the DEME name is synonymous with the successful construction of offshore wind farms, even when we face the most challenging conditions. Just look at what we have done at Saint-Nazaire! This is sheer engineering excellence - no other contractor has ever successfully drilled a wind farm into rock MAJOR WINS – FROM SCOTWIND TO PORT-LA-NOUVELLE

In another win, we have been awarded a 40-year port concession for Port-la-Nouvelle, which is particularly special because it represents the first privatisation of any port in France. This brings a lot of work to the Group

KITCHEN SECRETS

Ansari Imtiyaz, TSHD ‘Antigoon’ in several Activity Lines, and it is also an ideal fit with our sustainability goals because Port-la-Nouvelle is undergoing a major redevelopment and will become an important renewable energy port.

Augusta, executed a beach nourishment project (Emilia Romagna) and then the ‘cherry on the cake’ was Phase 1 of the Piattaforma Europa (Europa Platform) project for a new container terminal in the Port of Livorno.

PIONEERING IN THE GREEN HYDROGEN ARENA

FOCUS ON CIRCULAR ECONOMY

As well as offshore wind, we are exploring other core technologies which we believe have enormous potential such as green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen is sometimes considered an outlier and perhaps some of you may ask why DEME is getting involved in this sector, as it doesn’t neatly fit into our Activity Lines. But given the scarcity of resources and need to move away from traditional fuels, coupled with the expertise we have built up in the offshore wind industry in the last two decades, we believe we can play a role here – develop the industry and create value just as we have done in our wind farm concessions Rentel and SeaMade.

In another ground-breaking project our Activity Line Environmental is cleaning up a heavily polluted former oil refinery site in Scotland deploying its high-tech solutions.

This project highlights our focus on promoting a sustainable and circular economy. More than 90% of the material will be cleaned and reused. We are reaping the rewards of our sophisticated technology and our reputation gives our clients the confidence to entrust us with these complex remediation works.

In addition to our offshore wind activities we want to be active in the wider renewable space, in both green energy and the production of green molecules. Ultimately, we are a very strong project contractor, particularly in generating energy and in port developments, which are ideal skills to have in-house to develop hydrogen projects. DEME has already made significant progress with its flagship green hydrogen project HYPORT® Duqm in Oman. Therefore, we think we have the ‘green hydrogen skillset’ and alongside this, we have our port concessions – an ideal combination. Hence the growing role of ‘team Concessions’ in the DEME Group.

BREAKTHROUGH IN THE US OFFSHORE WIND SECTOR

Other major wins for the Group are the important breakthrough in the offshore wind sector in the US, whereby DEME Offshore landed a Balance of Plant contract for Dominion Energy Group’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. This is the largest offshore wind installation contract ever awarded in the US and the biggest single cabling contract in DEME Group’s history. This follows on from our award for several scopes for Vineyard Wind 1, the first utility-scale offshore wind farm in the country.

The team will be working on the entire restructuring of the Port of Ravenna which is undoubtedly one of the most significant dredging and marine construction projects to take place in recent years and they are carrying out a design & build project in the Port of

For everybody food is important aboard – it is literally powering the engine!

OUR NEXT CHAPTER

And as you know, DEME is poised for the next major step in its evolution – the stock listing.

Becoming listed on Euronext Brussels will give DEME the necessary and direct visibility it needs to drive its strategy and ambitions forward and it will underscore the true value of the company. Not only that, it will enable us to proceed with our investment plans for the future. We believe it is a great opportunity for DEME and our employees.

These are exciting times. We have a full orderbook, a diverse range of projects in all of our Activity Lines, a fantastic, futureproof fleet. Yes, there are challenges ahead for sure – m ­ anaging our growth – but what opportunities we have! Fortunately, we have smart, highly-­ skilled employees who will help us make the most of these opportunities.

We know we are nothing without our talented, creative people.

Keep up the good work!

Together, we can make it happen.

One DEME, One Team!

Luc Vandenbulcke CEO DEME Group

SUCCESS IN ITALY

Meanwhile in Italy we have been awarded some new dredging projects. Our success in Italy is due to the hard work and determination of our dredging team. These assignments also show how DEME’s ability to look over the horizon has paid off. DEME took the decision to stay in Italy and build up our presence, even in the tough years when projects were thin on the ground.

“Everyone wants Ansari on board!”

LATEST NEWS You can find an overview of the latest DEME News on our website

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Ansari Imtiyaz is the Chief Cook of TSHD ‘Antigoon’ and is definitely a people pleaser. He likes to make sure all crew members, whether from different Indian states or expats, have a taste of home.

“For everybody food is important aboard – it is literally powering the engine!”

funny and it kept us all fit too! Then we had a really nice BBQ after the games.”

Ansari started as a steward in 2006 for the Star Shipping Company and then joined a certain well-known competitor in 2009 as assistant cook. He joined ISD and DEME in 2016 as Chief Cook. “I always had an interest in cooking and visiting new places so this made me join the maritime industry.”

And his top project was also in Kakinada.

“This is because it is easy to get all the necessary provisions for making various dishes and there are mostly calm waters making it possible to maintain the kitchen, food stores and messrooms. I don’t have to protect all the cutlery and rearrange all the scattered items due to bad weather! (laughs)”

He arrived just when ‘Antigoon’ was converting to the Indian flag from the French flag. “This meant I still had the opportunity to work with a multinational crew and Filipino cooks, so it was really nice to be able to pick up tips from them too.” Ansari enjoys being appreciated by his colleagues and making special dishes on the holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Holi and Diwali.

Definitely the favourite dishes of the crew are Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Rezala and Kheer for a dessert, he says. But he always makes a point of listening carefully to feedback from the crew, he adds. “On a daily basis I try to improve the quality wherever I can. On top of that, I maintain hygiene of the galley and the messroom. So these are my three kitchen secrets to maintain a happy crew!”

Kavitha Ramesh (Human Resource Manager from DEME’s Indian subsidiary ISD) emphasises: “On ‘Antigoon’ we often have people on board from different states and expats so Ansari has to prepare many different types of food. He knows that food is most important to keep everyone happy and understands that they miss their family.

Food takes on a special role when you are at sea.”

For Ansari his best memory of life on board was playing outdoor games on a return voyage from the port of Kakinada to Mumbai in 2017. “The captain had allowed us to play some games on deck each day, such as tug-of-war and a treasure hunt, which was

KITCHEN SECRETS – 3

COVER STORY

‘Orion’ powers into the fleet Heralding a new era in the offshore energy industry, our remarkable offshore installation vessel ‘Orion’ has officially entered the DEME fleet – marking a major milestone in the Group’s history.

On a bright, sunny day at DEME’s Vlissingen Base, Orion’s godmother Mrs Amélie Michel, spouse of Mr Charles Michel, President of the European Council, smashed the bottle of champagne on the hull proclaiming: “I name this ship ‘Orion’, may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her!” If a picture paints a thousand words, the beaming smiles of our proud Management Team say it all!

Hundreds of guests attended the traditional DEME naming ceremony and were treated to special tours, which highlighted Orion’s amazing capabilities. DEME was honoured to welcome VIP guests including Annelies Verlinden, the Belgian Minister of the Interior, Institutional Reform and Democratic Renewal, and our global partners with representatives from Penta Ocean, our joint venture partner in Japan Offshore Marine, Kogimagumi, our dredging partner in Japan, Daelim our partner in Singapore, and FOSS, our new partner in the US attending the celebrations.

FUTURE WATERS

There was also a special, surprise VIP who captured the audience’s attention – ‘Orion’ herself!

(You all know that DEME has some unique

4 - COVER STORY

capabilities but perhaps you didn’t realise we also have talking ships…!).

Themed ‘Future Waters’, we had a special immersive experience arranged for the guests – again highlighting our innovative approach.

But in their wildest imagination, they couldn’t have expected ‘Orion’ to speak directly to them. ‘Orion’ showed herself to be rather spirited lady and told the guests: “I am trustworthy and straightforward. Some might call me stubborn. I stay on course, whatever happens.

Most of all, I offer a warm and caring home to the fantastic crew I work with.”

Our CEO Luc Vandenbulcke also had a few questions for her, asking her if she was happy to join the DEME fleet? “It is an honour to join the DEME family of 5,000 highly skilled professionals that counts 80 different nationalities and a fleet of more than 100 vessels.”

Luc then asked a very important question: “Was she ready for some of the hardest work in the offshore world?” ‘Orion’ quipped: “I was given the best, innovative and sustainable equipment to handle any possible task. Ready for service Mr Vandenbulcke!”

The joy of our Management Team and their enthusiasm was reflected in our CEO’s speech to the packed auditorium. Luc said the presence of the European President Michel and godmother Mrs Michel in these challenging times only served to underscore their support for companies like DEME who invest in the future.

We believe in a future where the world will be greener, cleaner and more prosperous than today, Luc emphasised.

“DEME is on a mission to tackle the challenges of today, such as GHG emissions, rising sea levels, a growing population, the scarcity of resources and the pollution of oceans and soils.

PIONEERING SPIRIT EMBODIED IN ‘ORION’

DEME’s pioneering spirit is embedded in the ‘Orion’ project, he stressed. “We left our comfort zone of jack-up vessels – standing firmly on their legs - to conceiving the floating giant ‘Orion’, a versatile vessel with a 5,000-tonne crane.”

In Greek mythology, ‘Orion’ was a great hunter who was famed for good looks and We believe many love affairs, Luc said, in a future who eventually was turned where the world into a stellar constellation will be greener, following a jealous love affair.

Jokingly, Luc said it is hard cleaner not to see the comparison and more with DEME: a great hunter and good looks are obvious! prosperous.

“Our belief in renewable energy started almost 20 years ago, when we built the first offshore wind farms in Scandinavia and Belgium.

Our prophecy around the growing importance of offshore wind was then already based on GHG reduction, local jobs and strategic independence. It could not be more actual than today. We have grown from being a market leader in a small niche market to the leader in a global market, which is predicted to grow at double-digit rates in the coming years.”

‘Orion’ will change the game given that the payload of ‘Innovation’ is 8,000 tonnes and this compares to the new giant’s 24,000 tonnes. With a full orderbook, ‘Orion’ is ready to set new standards, Luc pointed out.

PAYLOAD OF 24,000 TONNES

Built by COSCO at its impressive yard in Shenzhen, DEME had enjoyed a great collaboration within a very multicultural team. The massive crane, the heart of the vessel, was built by Liebherr and this was another company sharing similar views to DEME and

Our belief in renewable energy started almost 20 years ago, when we built the first offshore wind farms in Scandinavia and Belgium.

Teamwork is everything!

‘Orion’ has the ability to make significant changes in the industry Eager to work on Orion’s first project and proudly showing off their new vessel, Captain Joerg Eden and First Mate Bernd Wulf outline what makes ‘Orion’ so special in their seafaring careers and why teamwork is everything.

Commenting on what most impresses him about the new offshore flagship from the bridge, Captain Joerg Eden says: “First of all the scale, and secondly what makes the ‘Orion’ interesting and also challenging is that all the systems are working together.

It is not only a device holding the gripper or just a crane on board, it is vital that all the systems are fully integrated and work together.” This also means that all the operators have to work closely together, ‘like a well-oiled gearbox’, he laughs. “As a captain it is part of my responsibility to get all those things aligned – the teams and the equipment!

“The motion compensated pile gripper is something very new in the industry, particularly at this scale of functionality.

In turn, this means that the bridge team (DP operator, motion compensated pile gripper operator and the crane operator) have to work closely together and everything has to go hand in hand – the movements of the ship, the pile gripper and the crane.”

one that was also willing to take bold steps to develop new technology.

Luc personally thanked Patricia Rüf, a member of the board of Liebherr-International, for her attendance which was a tribute to our strong partnership. Another pioneering company keen to welcome this wonderful vessel was the client (Parkwind of the Colruyt Group) of Orion’s first project – the Arcadis Ost 1 offshore wind farm in Germany. “Being the client of a new vessel always requires a pioneering spirit, and I admit, sometimes patience,” Luc said when he thanked our clients for joining the naming ceremony event.

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR CHAIRMAN, THE PROJECT TEAM AND CREW!

If the many close collaborations with partners represent Orion’s partnerships, there is one relationship that DEME values above all and that is with its people, Luc stressed.

“Let me pay tribute to some of our people, as being representatives of our wonderful people. I would like to pay tribute to Jeroen Vanden Brande, the Project Manager of the building process, Jan Gabriel, Head of the New Build Department. Orion’s Captains Jörg and Michiel and the entire crew, and of course I salute Hugo, Bart and Koen, and the rest of the management of DEME Offshore.

But also to the entire group, with all of our dedicated people around the world! You are the spirit of DEME. “Let me also thank DEME’s shareholders represented by the many Board Members here and by our Chairman Luc Bertrand. Luc, your critical views on things have always enriched us. Your support for our people in

the Covid period has been a true testimony of the values of the DEME Group.”

He stresses: “This is something that hasn't been seen before. We really have the ability to make significant changes in the industry!”

SUPPORTING OUR UKRAINIAN CREW – ALWAYS PEOPLE FIRST

CREATING A SMOOTH-RUNNING, EFFICIENT MACHINE

Unfortunately, he said, just two years later, the world is again faced with a crisis. But again DEME has shown its same resilient and determined spirit and compassion for its people.

For Captain Eden personally, he is relishing the responsibility of being at the helm of this special ship. “I have been with ‘Orion’ from the very beginning (including the setback) and I have a really nice team around me”, many of whom have been hand-picked and have worked with Captain Eden on ‘Innovation’ for years. “Most of all, I am looking forward to our team converting what we have seen under development at the shipyard into a smooth-running, efficient machine.”

“We are not shying away from the difficulties of our Ukrainian crew members, some of them on the ‘Orion’. On the contrary. As we speak, we are taking care of 120 women and children from our Ukrainian crew in Bulgaria. We have even had one baby born in our DEME hotel and another one is due to arrive in the coming weeks.”

WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER OF OUR HISTORY TOGETHER

Luc called on every one of DEME’s employees, saying: “In moments of hard work and solving the problems of the day, let’s not forget why we do it and what DEME stands for. Soon, we will be stock listed. We will be able to tell our story to the outside world even more clearly. We will be able to explain and certainly find the necessary support for our offshore wind developments, our major hydrogen plans and our deep-sea harvesting ambitions.

I would like to invite you to continue to write our incredible story together!”

And he finished by wishing Orion’s crew good luck and a safe journey, adding that no one will ever forget this special day!

But he is quick to stress that you can have the best vessel in the world but without having a good team to operate it to its maximum capability, it’s worthless. “Of course, we have these amazing technical innovations on board, but it’s really the team that makes this big machine into something that makes money for the company.”

Captain Eden is also enjoying extending his own knowledge, especially regarding the gripper. “This is new for all of us.

The mooring system, DP and floating lifts are known territory for me. We are all going through a steep learning curve, but we can create a nice working system.”

‘ORION’ WILL CHANGE THE MARKET

Although it is difficult to say just how quickly ‘Orion’ will be installing monopiles as it is dependent on the size of the MPs and soil conditions etc., Captain Eden is

confident that – just like the ‘Innovation’ – ‘Orion’ will change the market! He adds that ‘Innovation’ pretty much halved the cycle time for one installation. “‘Innovation’ achieved something quite remarkable at the time and now we have the potential to do it here as well!”

Bernd Wulf, First Mate, is one of the crew members who joined Captain Eden from ‘Innovation’, working on the vessel for around 10 years. In terms of a milestone in his career, Bernd says ‘Orion’ is certainly a big step. “This is a revolution in the industry, particularly the motion compensated pile gripper. And it’s a challenge for us but we have a great team and can make it a success I am sure.”

For Bernd it is the interaction between the huge systems that make ‘Orion’ so remarkable. “The pile gripper has an enormous weight but it is capable of moving at an incredible speed, and to get installations perfectly on the spot while you float with such a huge load and crane… amazing.”

CREW COLLABORATION VITAL

Above all, however, the interaction between the team is crucial, he emphasises. “On the bridge we are coordinating the DP operations, gripper operations and the crane with respect to the ballast. Yes, it will be a learning curve, but I am happy to be part of the team that will make it happen!” As well as the bridge team, there will also be a fixed rigging crew and a lifting supervisor crew because of the complicated nature of Orion’s concept. “It is all about teamwork! We have to align our working ways but we have the opportunity here to create something really special.”

TAKING DEME’S REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPT WORLDWIDE

Bernd is really looking forward to seeing DEME’s incredible new concept arrive in the US offshore wind industry. “We are already a world leader in wind farm installation and it is great to share our knowledge.

I enjoy helping the company to take another step forward but this is another big step for the industry too! This is exactly what is so impressive about DEME, they are always willing to take chances and take ideas from scratch and develop something special out of it. This concept of performing these complex installations from a floating vessel in this setup is remarkable!”

They both firmly agree that without the team the complex projects that ‘Orion’ will be performing, just wouldn’t be possible. “Without the team we are nothing, I really mean that.” Bernd.

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‘Orion’, from concept to reality Standing alongside the enormous hull of ‘Orion’, Jan Gabriel, Head of the New Build Department, is in awe. “This is a high point in my career, absolutely. I've been involved in many newbuilds and this is the one that has ‘consumed me the most’, especially because it took longer than expected. But we got through it and this incredible vessel is here today.”

SO WHERE DID DEME EVER GET THE INSPIRATION FROM?

Jan smiles, saying the initial idea came from Operations Director, Koen Vanderbeke. “I think Koen came with the original idea and that was already back in December 2015. He asked me to assist GeoSea (now DEME Offshore) because the company was contemplating the use of a monohull vessel for the future installation of offshore wind farm foundations, jackets and monopiles.

“As soon as Koen talked about this concept I was hugely enthusiastic because I was always a bit frustrated by how expensive jack-ups are.

They can actually only carry a small load compared to their total construction weight and construction weight always equals cost.”

GeoSea (now DEME Offshore) and Jan’s New Build Department started from scratch to develop the concept, with the teams essentially needing a whole year to take the design from concept to validation. The tender went out in October 2016 and in February the next year COSCO was awarded the contract.

Jan explains. “Currently the vessel is optimised for monopiles with the gripper but it is also perfectly suitable for jackets, which require a lot of space. We have studied both options and the plans for the jackets are also ready. Making this huge investment, we wanted to ensure that ‘Orion’ is future-­proof.”

EXTRAORDINARY CAPABILITIES

There are countless examples of Orion’s extraordinary capabilities. For example, the vessel can ‘lose a complete engine room’, while keeping on position with the same manning levels. “This is the maximum redundancy that you can buy in the industry.”

If we had a crane on the ship it was for maintenance purposes.

When Jan started his career, did he ever expect to see this kind of vessel join the DEME fleet?

He laughs: “It will be 25 years ago this summer.

When I joined, DEME was not even in offshore wind! If we had a crane on the ship it was for maintenance purposes, not as a cashflow generator.”

Technically and from an engineering perspective, as well as its scale, make ‘Orion’ exceptional,

Secondly, the vessel is equipped with dual fuel power plants, meaning that the engines

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KIND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Additionally, when looking at efficiency a number of measures have been taken and one of the most important is the installation of a steam turbine. “We are using the heat that would otherwise be lost out of the exhaust.

This steam is used to run the turbine and that turbine produces electricity. So when we are at full power, with When I joined, more than 40 MW, we will actually recover pure electricity DEME was – around 1.5 MW – that we not even in can feed back into the netoffshore wind! work aboard.”

When it comes to protecting the climate and reducing emissions, there are a number of measures embodied in the vessel. “The first one is conceptual. When you consider the traditional way of installing monopiles, we are talking about jack-up vessels. While the jack-up is a fantastic invention, there is always the major disadvantage that a large part of its carrying capacity is lost because it has to carry its legs and these are very heavy. With ‘Orion’ we don't have legs, we float! So with the same amount of fuel, we can actually install more monopiles at sea.”

FUTURE-PROOF

can run on LNG resulting in approximately 25% less carbon dioxide without taking into account other emissions. “And when it comes to local pollutants such as NOx, SOx and particulate matter, LNG is truly very clean, you have reductions of 80% or more.”

Ultimately, these efficiencies, and of course the gripper, crane and DP combination, will enable ‘Orion’ to establish a ‘production line’ when installing monopiles. “Perhaps more than 100 a year, and when you consider these could be 2,000 tonnes each!”

INSPIRING GENERATIONS TO COME

Jan is very well aware that all eyes are upon DEME and ‘Orion’. “For sure I think the rest of the industry will follow. ‘Orion’ is being watched worldwide!”

But for Jan, it is more profound than the impact the new vessel will have on the industry, it is about the message that ‘Orion’ signifies to the generations to come. “We have Orion’s first Family Day tomorrow and this alone will be attended by more than 1,000 people!

I strongly believe in these events because it shows that the whole DEME company is really one family. Young children and teenagers can see this wonderful ship, it’s tangible. We are lucky that we have beautiful ships to show our children. I do hope that meeting ‘Orion’ will result in some of them becoming interested in the maritime and offshore world and they may even end up working for DEME in the future!”

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE Operations Director, Koen Vanderbeke sums up Orion’s competitive edge succinctly: “It’s the motion compensated gripper and the huge, powerful crane that will make the difference in the offshore wind industry! Ultimately, we will be able to install the new generation of monopiles and foundations in a very efficient way.

If we consider the present installation methods in the oil and gas industry for example, they are pretty slow on the whole.

It’s still the old technology.”

And had Koen ever expected such a vessel in the DEME fleet? He laughs heartily: “When I started I hardly knew what a crane was! That was 26 years ago.

No, I could never imagine this! I started work at a dredging company because I wanted to dredge. But just look where we are today – that’s what makes DEME so exciting. And to think this is the first vessel of its kind to enter the American market as well, it’s amazing!”

FAB FOUR HR BUSINESS PARTNER

Andrea Vega Martínez Originally from Barcelona, Andrea Vega Martínez, studied international business before moving to the Netherlands to embark on a Master's degree in Human Resource Management almost nine years ago. Andrea then decided to make the Netherlands her home and joined a recruitment company that was specialised in offshore and maritime jobs.

After five years, she decided to look for another challenge and Tideway (now DEME Offshore) was her next destination. Initially she was recruiting for Tideway and then this was extended to DEME Offshore. Andrea laughs: “We are responsible for hiring for the Benelux, Denmark, and more recently, the US. So we do interviews during the morning, afternoon and now the evening too!”

Andrea’s role has been expanded beyond only recruitment and she was appointed HR Business Partner in 2021. Her responsibilities include recruitment, the onboarding of starters, offboarding, salary reviews, career development and a broad range of other HR matters.

Certainly you do have to be adaptable and able to find your own way, but this means that we have an interesting working environment, especially for young people. They know they can be really creative and add value to the organisation.

WHO WILL BE NEXT? Each edition of our ONE DEME newspaper will focus on four DEME colleagues in diverse roles and located all over the world. Each person is asked the same four questions, which reveal why DEME is special to them and also gives an insight into their career development and standout projects. The Fab Four are also asked if they have any tips for DEME, in line with our drive to continuously improve.

What makes DEME special for you?

“First of all, I really like the industry in which DEME operates and particularly because it is a leader in the renewables sector. It gives you a very good feeling to work for a company that is doing something to help make the world more sustainable. I also think we have very nice colleagues and I thrive in an international environment. We have a lot of young, enthusiastic colleagues, which makes it a fun place to work too. It is this combination: the industry, the environmental aspect, the international nature of DEME and really nice colleagues.

As well as this, I enjoy the way that DEME gives a lot of responsibility to its employees and the opportunities provided. Certainly

you do have to be adaptable and able to find your own way, but this means that we have an interesting working environment, especially for young people. They know they can be really creative and add value to the organisation.”

Is there anyone/something that has influenced your career at DEME in any special way?

“I think the fact that we have merged the different entities into DEME Offshore has made it very interesting for my colleagues and I. We are not only focused on one location or on one specific kind of project. We have been given the chance to grow in the sense that we are collaborating much more with our colleagues from overseas in Denmark or the US etc. The HR team at Offshore and other HR Business Partners are great, we collaborate and learn from each other on a daily basis.

Overall, the opportunities available have influenced my career as well. From the beginning I was keen to explore the possibilities at DEME.

It was explained that the company was growing rapidly. Now as part of my role in the HR team I explain to new graduates that there are so many options open for them – not only within one Activity Line – but also within the Group.

We always try to match somebody's interests and ambitions and personal situation with whatever possibilities we have.”

Which performance are you most proud of ?

“It is always satisfying when you have a group of colleagues that have joined in the last couple of years and to see how they have developed.

When we all get together and have a teambuilding activity and it is clear they are now a close-knit team and can collaborate and work well together, it is very rewarding.

For example, one of the largest teams we have built up was the Tender Team, which was originally a small unit in Breda. This has grown to over 20 people. It was a very nice challenge for us. Currently, we are building up the team in Boston in the US where we only had two colleagues initially, and now we have approximately 10, and the numbers are still growing.

This is also rewarding personally because the US is such a different recruitment market from the European one.”

What do you still dream about?

“Career wise, I definitely dream of helping DEME to improve even more and to grow in the coming years, that's for sure. However, we are in quite a challenging market, it's a very competitive business. We are working on the recruitment of new colleagues for the many projects we have in hand, but also on the retention of good people. These are both a challenge. So if we can get better at this in the coming years that would be great.

Then personally I really love travelling and of course this has not been so easy in the last couple of years. I've got a very long list of countries that I would like to visit. As soon as everything has calmed down, I'm definitely planning to keep on travelling, with Japan first on my list.

I love sushi and everyone says that it's a really surprising country, but in a positive way. I am very curious.”

Do you have a tip for DEME? “Gosh that's a difficult one. Keep on being good at what you do, keep pioneering. DEME is well positioned in the market, especially for offshore energy. It is fantastic to see that we are the first ones building commercial wind farms in the US for instance. DEME is a front runner and that means that people are attracted to join, especially youngsters who are keen to work in the renewables industry and play a role in creating a sustainable planet.”

If you would like to participate or nominate a colleague who you think deserves a special mention in the next edition, please email: communications@deme-group.com

FAB FOUR – 7

BACKSTAGE

DEME’s continued presence in Italy and fantastic teamwork sees SIDRA land the biggest dredging projects in the country

SIDRA, DEME Group’s Italian subsidiary, has won some incredible projects in the last year, and the team is excited about prospects to come. Without hesitation, they all put this success down to DEME’s determination to continue to have a presence in Italy, even in the crisis years, and the second reason is the combined strength of such a close-knit team. DEME’s perseverance has recently seen SIDRA land the largest dredging contract in the country.

Gregory Mossoux, Operations Manager, comments: “Between 2015-2019 there were not so many projects available and it was a hard time for our employees. But we managed to get through it because DEME has the capability of relocating staff to projects worldwide.”

From left to right: Stefano Carnevale, Paola D'Alessandro, Stefano Movarelli, David Spigone, Elisabetta Benvenuti, Paolo Santoni and Carlo Alberto Marconi (missing in the photo: Bruna Giacinti, Paolo Zanzot, Anna Vincenti, Davide Mosca and Gregory Mossoux)

But now with Italy partly using the post-­ pandemic European Recovery Fund to boost infrastructure there are plenty of reasons for optimism. “And this means that we will have to reinforce the current team with ‘old’ and new colleagues,” he adds.

Carlo Alberto Marconi, Technical & Commercial Manager, emphasises: “This year a lot of huge tenders will be launched related to projects that have to be completed in 2026. Therefore SIDRA’s capability and experience, in full synergy with the DEME Group, can be an added value and make the difference. We can provide clients with smart engineering and advantageous solutions, whilst guaranteeing and respecting the schedule, having stringent QHSE standards in place and always focusing on sustainability.”

Short introductions to the team ROME HEAD OFFICE

GREGORY MOSSOUX Operations Manager Gregory Mossoux actually started his career at DEME as a young Superintendent at La Réunion, and later moved to become a Desk Engineer in Italy. He was then ­relocated to Singapore before returning to SIDRA four years ago. As Operations Manager, Gregory is responsible for dredging works and he is also Proposal Manager for tenders in Italy.

He has been with the Group for 16 years.

“For me, it is exciting being part of a company like DEME because we are active in very different sectors. I think that DEME’s goals are in line with my vision for a sustainable world too. DEME really goes for it! It is ­important for my kids to grow up in a sustainable world and I see that we are contributing to this.”

PAOLO SANTONI Finance Manager Finance Manager and HR Business Partner

8 – BACKSTAGE

Paolo Santoni, admits that his career path is certainly not typical. “I must be the only person that has gone from jewellery to dredging!” Paolo has previously spent 10 years working for auditors, auction houses and the luxury brand Bulgari. He has been with SIDRA for 14 years. Paolo started his DEME career in Kuwait and Tunisia before coming to the Rome head office in 2008. At that time SIDRA was also responsible for Libya, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.

STEFANO CARNEVALE Tender Manager Stefano Carnevale has been with the DEME Group since 2006. He spent around 10 years abroad with DI and GeoSea, mainly in the Middle East and Baltic Sea. Stefano has been based in Rome since 2015. He is responsible for the more technical part of the tenders, working alongside Stefano Movarelli. “Between those two the magic happens!” Gregory laughs.

STEFANO MOVARELLI Compliance Officer Stefano Movarelli has been working for SIDRA for nearly 20 years. He started out as a Project Engineer for a complex environ­ mental project in Livorno, and he was employed on the site until 2010. Stefano then moved to the head office to lead the tender process, especially in relation to the administrative and legal aspects of tenders.

Since 2019, he was also involved in compliance matters such as screening joint venture partners.

CARLO ALBERTO MARCONI Technical & Commercial Manager Carlo Alberto Marconi has been working for SIDRA for nearly 24 years. He started his career in an Italian marine construction company (Sider-Almagià, which was also partially owned by DI), and was mainly involved in the execution of major maritime infrastructure projects (breakwaters, quay walls, port expansion projects and marinas). Together with Jan Vandenbroeck, Carlo is responsible for the Italian market for both public and private tenders.

ESTABLISHED FOR 40 YEARS

For more than 40 years, Società Italiana Dragaggi S.p.A. (SIDRA) has been designing and executing maritime works in Italy and in the Mediterranean basin. SIDRA’s ­history dates back to the early eighties with the company Italdredging, which was transformed into Società Italiana Dragaggi in 1987, following the acquisition of some activities of Vianini Lavori S.p.A. SIDRA was then acquired by the DEME Group. Gregory grins, saying because SIDRA is a merger of a dredging and a marine works company, “you could say that we even had Activity Lines before DEME!” From the head office in Rome 13 people manage tenders, works and administration for projects in Italy and the surrounding countries in South Europe, as well as the Adriatic countries, Malta and Tunisia.

Some remarkable projects have been landed by the team, so here are a few of the key people behind the scenes. Though it must be stressed that they all wanted to point out that a very big thanks should go to the teams behind the Operational and Project Managers. “It is only together we make it happen!” says Gregory.

Tenders are more demanding, and environmental, sustainability and ethical aspects are now playing a bigger role.

In this stunning site south of Naples, DEME completed the second and final dredging campaign to deepen the Port of Salerno at the beginning of 2021.

21 DAY TENDER PERIOD – NO MATTER HOW COMPLEX THE PROJECT

Finance Manager, Paolo Santoni, comments: “Gregory is correct, it was not easy in Italy in the past years but DEME Group decided to maintain this organisation in the period when we didn’t have many projects. But this meant when tenders started to arrive again we were present and ready, which was not the case for our competitors! If we’d had to do a total restart, there would never have been time to create a new organisation.”

And certainly this ability to move quickly has proven itself recently. Italy has introduced a new law related to the European Recovery Fund, which means that some tenders have to be submitted in just 21 days – no matter how complex the project. Paolo, laughs, saying that this might be surprising to some people because Italy is usually notorious for its bureaucracy and red tape.

The two Tender Managers Stefano Movarelli and Stefano Carnevale explain that it is an enormous pressure to have to do a complete tender, finding the right optimisation to realise the project in only 21 days. “The gov­ernment is keen to restart the economy, so there is no flexibility for an extension whatsoever,” says Stefano ‘C’.

“Tenders are more demanding, and environmental, sustainability and ethical aspects are now playing a bigger role. These can even be up to 25% of the overall score, when previously tenders would only focus on technical aspects,” adds Stefano ‘M’. For example, for Livorno additional measures such as reducing the environmental impact of the works actually led to 40 new ideas being included such as measures to reduce emissions to air/water, cutting down the amount of rock transported by road and mitigating the disturbance of the project on local residents.

However, Gregory adds: “Fortunately we have the right partners, we know the regions well, so when tenders are issued we are ready!” And this has been highlighted recently when the Italian team were awarded fantastic projects – including Livorno – the biggest dredging project in Italy!

A NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL IN LIVORNO

will employ a wide spread of equipment and a lot of people.”

Stefano ‘C’ comments: “During my career I believe I have only ever seen one large-scale marine project in Italy and that was the renowned MOSE lagoon protection project in Venice. Livorno will literally change the coastline – you will be able to see it from Google Earth! This is a once-in-a-lifetime project!”

Just at the end of 2021, SIDRA, as the leader of a joint venture with Italian partners, was delighted to win Plenty more opportunities Phase 1 of the prestigious are coming along, they Piattaforma Europa all agree, with some very (Europa Platform) project interesting tenders taking for a new container termiplace currently. Stefano nal in the Port of Livorno.

Livorno will be ‘M’ says with the European In a strategic position a major focus Recovery Fund, many proin the Mediterranean, in the coming jects that may have been the Port of Livorno has in the pipeline are now embarked on a major years and we getting off the ground. expansion project, which will employ will eventually encompass a wide spread of 3 km of docks, two large EUROPEAN RECOVERY 2 terminals, 2 million m equipment and FUND BOOSTS ­INFRA­of new areas and a port S ­­ TRUCTURE PROJECTS a lot of people. entrance with depths of “There will be the funds up to – 20 m. This develavailable to invest in opment will see Livorno infrastructure and harbour become the major port for extensions to enable the the Tuscan Region and Florence. latest generation of vessels to call at the ports.

And of course, climate change. Storms are becoming more frequent, waves are getting DEME’s scope represents approximately bigger, coastal protection is even more impor16 million m³ of dredging volumes and additant,” Gregory emphasises. Plus with recent tionally, the joint venture will construct 6 km events, there is likely to be more investment of breakwaters. in alternative energy sources such as LNG and then green hydrogen in the longer term, Gregory explains: “I think in Livorno we have which will also stimulate developments, done some EUR 80 million worth of projects adds Stefano C. over the last 20 years. And now we have won the biggest one ever in our home market!

They are confident that the amazing team The project highlights the advantages of they have in Italy will ensure further success.

DEME maintaining its presence in the market Gregory adds: “These fantastic projects we and the dedication of our people. Livorno will have won are all down to the tremendous be a major focus in the coming years and we

efforts of the whole local team, not just the people in the spotlight today, and indeed by having the support of our colleagues at the headquarters in Zwijndrecht.”

ONE BIG FAMILY – ONE DEME TEAM

Paolo concludes: “I remember when I arrived 14 years ago, my boss in Italy and in Belgium said this company is like a family. They were right, even after all these years – many people, many activities, and the growth of DEME, we are changing… but behind the professionalism there is always a person. Due to my role in HR, I saw that DEME immediately sent messages to our colleagues in Ukraine asking where they could help and this was the same during Covid when Italy was the first country to be hit by the pandemic. HQ supported us and asked where they could assist. This is very important. Of course that is not to say, we are different from any other family, there are always discussions, different opinions,” he grins. “But respect for each other is always the foundation.”

9

4

Snapshots of projects in Italy From coastal protection to port expansions

1

2

Ravenna

The entire restructuring of the Port of Ravenna is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious dredging and marine construction projects to take place in recent years. Giovanni Andolina, Project Manager, explains: “This is a top marine project in Italy at the moment. We will be taking care of all the dredging activities to deepen and widen the port and access channel and together with our partners, we will manage, treat and transport the material to reclamation areas as well. Our project partners have to rebuild and reinforce the quay walls to allow the deepening of the seabed in front of them.” The design & build project is being carried out with Italian partners RCM Costruzioni and Fincosit.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL PARTNERS ARE CRUCIAL

“Our main ambition is to achieve this complex project successfully by working closely and productively with all the stakeholders. Partners are very important here in Italy and it is vital to nurture these relationships.” Gregory Mossoux, Operations Manager, agrees, adding: “I would like to underline this point - in Italy relationships are crucial.”

SIDRA will be dredging to depths of -12.5 m, which will allow the port to handle much larger

vessels of 75,000 dwt and containerships of up to 8,000 TEU. “This project is critical for Ravenna.

Vessels are getting bigger and wider. If the port did not realise the Ravenna Hub project it would suffer the consequences.”

Augusta

On the western coast of Sicily at the Port of Augusta, SIDRA has been performing extensive soil investigations for a design & build project to construct a new 110,000 m2 port platform for a future container terminal. Awarded in a joint venture with ICM Costruzioni, the scope includes the construction of 600 m of quay walls.

Works Manager Francesco Pesce explains that the geotechnical investigations were vital to identify the real soil conditions the team faced, and they finally resulted in a substantial variation order because the material was very different to that of the original tender. He says: “We were actually awarded the contract after having ended second in the tender as the company which won went bankrupt. The design had not been completed, this meant we had to start again and we had to find a new solution, which led to quite a redesign. This site is mostly clay and the clay is much harder than expected, which means the size of the sheet piles also has to be increased.”

The new quay will have a 14 m available water depth and the joint venture team will work from several cranes and pontoons to create the Combi wall because 40% of the work has to be done from the sea side. During preliminary works, SIDRA also installed a 400-metre-long sheet pile wall along the landside to avoid any salt water reaching the hinterland.

“This is a very important strategic project for our client and Sicily. The Mediterranean needs more container capacity in this area. I am very happy for Sicily that these port developments are taking place,” Francesco stresses.

SIDRA is also performing a project in Catania harbour for the same client. This will be carried out by the Augusta team and the same partners and involves repair works along the quay wall.

MANAGING THE DESIGN PROCESS

Two types of dredging activities will be involved at Ravenna, ‘Bonny River’ will perform the hydraulic dredging and then mechanical dredging with a grab dredger will take place alongside the quay walls. Gregory says that one of the main challenges is the management of the whole design process and the permitting procedures, which have to consider an extensive range of legislation and environmental issues.

In a fantastic achievement, and after a year of preparations and soil investigations, the Ravenna team has just got the notice to proceed with the dredging works! Giovanni adds: “We had to be very proactive and work closely with the client and the other stakeholders to find solutions and bring the project to where it stands today.”

“SIDRA has a strong presence in Ravenna, it is a priority, and we want to stay!” emphasises Gregory.

The Augusta project is in a starting phase. This is what the area will look like when the works will be completed

TSHD ‘Bonny River’ in the port of Ravenna

10

Augusta Site's staff from left to right and top to bottom: Francesco Pesce, Works manager (SIDRA - DEME GROUP); Danilo Dottore, project engineer (SIDRA - DEME GROUP); Davide Adreani, project manager (Partner company- ICM); Antonio Mirabella, site accountant (Partner company, ICM); Michele Ettorre, Works manager (SIDRA - DEME GROUP); Antonio Facciolo, crane operator (SIDRA - DEME GROUP)

3

Emilia Romagna Massimo Ardu has several projects under his responsibility, including the Emilia Romagna huge beach nourishment project, which has been awarded with two Italian partners RCM Costruzioni and Consorzio Integra. Massimo is also responsible for Bonny River’s dredging activities in Ravenna, so he works closely with Giovanni.

‘Bonny River’, three MultiCats, a tugboat, earthmoving equipment and excavators are all part of the spread and around 45 people are working on the reclamation itself (at the time of writing this article). Although SIDRA is well known for its beach replenishment activities, this is the first time the company has worked in Emilia Romagna.

The main challenge of Emilia Romagna is that it has to be completed in a very short time frame, Massimo emphasises. We have to dredge seven beaches over a distance of 50 km from south to north, he explains, of which approximately 11 km has to be replenished. The team will dredge and pump approximately 150,000 m3 per beach, which are typically around 1.5 km long and 100 m wide.

Gregory emphasises that certainly SIDRA expects to see more of these beach nourishment projects, given the impact of global warming.

“The rise in sea levels and stronger storms are putting the land behind these beaches at risk.

Actually, the first purpose of this project is to protect the land and local residents. People assume it is because these beaches are very popular and bring business to the region, but it is because the land is getting flooded more and more. Better protection is vital. In fact, during the welding of the sinker sometimes our feet were covered in water!”

“For sure, the challenge of this project is that everything had to be completed in May so the beaches are ready for the tourist season.

We have to demobilise and shift all of the equipment to the next site every 10 days!”

4

Termini Imerese SIDRA was also awarded a new contract to dredge the harbour and access channel to the port of Termini Imerese in Sicily. The scope includes deepening the port to a 10 m depth and then transporting the material to the offshore dumping sites, says Massimo. Mechanical dredging will be carried out

by SIDRA’s joint venture partner RCM Costruzioni, which will remove the first layer and treat it onshore as it is not suitable for offshore dumping. SIDRA has previously teamed up with this partner in Ravenna and Naples. “We bring our dredging expertise and they have the local expertise,” Massimo says.

Lido di Dante

Misano Adriatico

Igea Marina

TSHD ‘Bonny River’

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROJECTS GIOVANNI ANDOLINA Project Manager for Ravenna Giovanni Andolina has spent more than 20 years of his career in maritime construction and he joined SIDRA three years ago. “Luckily I enjoy working wherever I am. If we didn’t love what we are doing, it wouldn’t be possible to spend so much time away from our families. DEME is a great company; taking care of us, the staff, labourers, equipment and in my extensive experience at other companies, I have never seen such a focus on environmental issues.”

Emilia Romagna - From left to right: Ignacio Escudero (Surveyor); Floriane Koechler (Surveyor); Alberto Muggianu (Senior Site Superintendent); Veronica Lopetuso (Chief Surveyor); Ainhoa Simon (Business Partner); Jos Weijnans (Works Manager, behind Ainhoa); Saartje Van den Hende (Surveyor); Massimo Ardu (Project Manager); Thibaut Juge (Site Superintendent); Alberto Marconi (Stakeholder Manager); Francesca Lupino (Stakeholder Manager); Pieter-Jan Van Cauter (Dedicated Superintendent, behind Francesca); Georges Hamam (Site Superintendent); Michal Biczak (QHSE Engineer).

MASSIMO ARDU Project Manager Emilia Romagna Massimo Ardu originally joined SIDRA as a surveyor in 1991 and he has been a Project Manager since 2000. “Ha-ha yes! Of course I enjoy working for DEME. I have been here for 32 years, I think I would have left the company by now if

I was unhappy! It is so interesting to see the company growing and developing.

DEME feels like a family to me now.”

FRANCESCO PESCE Works Manager Augusta Francesco Pesce has been with SIDRA for three years this time around. He initially worked for DEME for five years but then joined another marine construction company. However, when the opportunity came up to work near his home with SIDRA, he jumped at the chance to return to his beloved Sicily.

“I have worked in this sector for 22 years and DEME is on another level. The safety standards, the competence, attention to detail… I am grateful to work for DEME, it gives you a good feeling to belong to such a group.”

11

SAFETY FOCUS

Our Safety DNA Get into the groove!

In February CHILD has launched our DEME Safety DNA. WHAT IS IT?

WHY DO WE INTRODUCE IT?

HOW CAN I LIVE UP TO IT?

The Safety DNA consists of 7 habits or routines we need everybody to adopt. We call them the 7 grooves. They give an answer to which behaviour is expected from each of us, but also what we can expect from our supervisor. The Safety DNA guides us through the execution of our jobs.

Getting everybody home safely is a responsibility of each of us.

There are 2 ways to learn more about the Safety DNA and how it applies to your daily job.

- We might have good procedures but we also need everybody to follow them.

- We might have top-notch equipment but we also need everybody to use it.

- We might have the right PPE but we also need everybody to wear it.

- E-learning We’ve set up a 15min. e-learning on Apprise: Apprise > Trainings > CHILD

GET INTO THE GROOVE AND FOLLOW OUR E-LEARNING

As you see, each action we take – or do not take – can affect somebody else. Our behaviour defines the outcome. It’s that awareness that we want to strengthen: everybody can make the difference!

- Toolbox Are you supervising team members without access to a computer? We’ve converted the e-learning into a toolbox for you to give to your team.

All content (toolbox, video, toolbox registration) can be found on our Apprise page: Apprise > Publications > CHILD

CLICK HERE

As a supervisor I empower my team to take care of everyone’s safety.

I start every meeting/job/shift with a safety moment.

I stimulate open dialogue.

I ensure each step of the job is identified, prepared and agreed with my team.

Together with my team, I identify, assess and take action to control the risks.

At DEME WE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER

I watch over my colleagues, so we go home safely. I lead by example and inspire colleagues to do the same.

WE COMMUNICATE OPENLY

I speak up and ask instead of assuming.

I listen to everyone’s input.

WE PLAN OUR WORK AND CONTROL THE RISKS

I ensure compliance with the rules.

I initiate the Management of Change process when required.

WE FOLLOW THE RULES

I empower and support my team members to use their License to Stop.

WE FEEL SAFE TO STOP

I follow up on observations and incidents, take appropriate actions and provide feedback.

I ensure escalation if I cannot resolve the issue myself.

WE TAKE ACTION AND FOLLOW UP

I assess with my team how we can implement lessons learned and successes from colleagues.

WE LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES AND SUCCESSES

WE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

12 - SAFETY FOCUS

As an employee

I familiarise myself with the task plan first, discuss where needed and execute the job as agreed. I inform myself of the risks and implement the mitigation controls.

I use the Take 5 checklist before I start the job.

I know the rules and I follow them. I raise any deviation from the expected conditions.

I take no short cuts.

I have the right and duty to use my License to Stop.

I take action when I see a safety issue: I always report it and I fix it when I can.

I accept feedback and address others about (un)safe behaviour.

I share lessons learned and success stories within the organisation.

FAB FOUR SENIOR LEAD ENGINEER, CSBC-DEME WIND ENGINEERING

Pieter De Jonghe Pieter De Jonghe holds a unique position in DEME in that he was the very first Senior Lead Engineer to be appointed in the Group. Recently relocating to Taiwan to work on the Zhong Neng project, Pieter joined the DEME Group after graduating with a Master degree in Industrial Science – Electromechanics.

He chose to join GeoSea (now DEME Offshore) as a Project Engineer because the renewables sector fascinated him. “I thought this is the business for the future and I felt I could help DEME provide a solution for one of the worldwide problems. Joining such a large company as my first employer was a bit of a leap into the deep but I have never regretted my choice.”

His role as a Project Engineer was combined with being a Superintendent on board.

Initially, he was mainly involved offshore and then his focus switched to the procurement of installation equipment and preparation side ashore. “This background has enabled me to have a full grasp of the execution and preparatory scope, which is a good basis for my position now as Senior Lead Engineer because I am familiar with almost every part of scope, and this gives me the confidence for managing the full operational and technical scope of the entire project.”

Pieter’s first project as Lead Engineer was the Borssele 01+02 offshore wind farm in 2018-2019 and Zhong Neng will be his fourth.

This is also the first time he has worked outside of Europe and on an expat basis.

What makes DEME special for you?

“For me, DEME Group is special because of the offshore industry, particularly the renewables sector, the massive size of the equipment and the type of projects we construct. It is mind-blowing from an engineering perspective and after 10 years of working here I still feel the same.

Equally importantly, it is the way the company is organised – DEME has an open mindset,

and it is a horizontal organisation, not top down. This means that there is a lot of trust and empowerment. There is this flexible structure, which allows you to act quickly and get a lot done. I really enjoy this level of freedom.

Thirdly, the company is project orientated.

The project is really the driver. And finally, DEME is a multidisciplinary company. If I would decide I needed a new challenge I could swap disciplines or go to another Activity Line, the tender department, procurement department,… and yet there is still the same mindset. All of these factors combined match my own view and give numerous possibilities to forge a great career.”

Is there anyone/something that has influenced your career at DEME in any special way?

“Glenn Carton. I believe I have worked with Glenn on four to five projects, he is an excellent people manager and allows young engineers to flourish and form their own career trajectory by being given the chance to take on responsibility. He keeps a close eye on the young engineers but you are also given a lot of trust.

Glenn understands how to get the best out of someone, which both benefits the project and their personal development and career.

I learnt a great deal from him. And I often think, ‘how would Glenn look at this particular challenge or problem?’ I am perhaps aiming quite high, but I hope I can achieve the same with my team members.

Generally speaking, the fact that I’ve been involved in up to 12 large-scale projects means that each time you adapt to a new team, with different personalities, or environment, and this has enabled me to get an insight and learn from maybe 100 people. I have been able

to quickly adapt and be flexible, so this has helped me grow personally too.”

are well prepared for the first project and more projects that are coming along.

The other project I am most proud of is the Which performance are you most proud of ?

Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm in France.

“Although it is a relatively new project for I oversaw the Transport & Installation scope. me, I am very proud of the newbuild ‘Green Drilling these XL monopiles into rock is Jade’ and the Zhong Neng offshore wind extremely technically farm, which is the first challenging, and addifoundation installation tionally this is all taking project of CDWE/ place in the context of DEME in Taiwan, and the pandemic. There how we have created a combined engineering Five years ago myself were some very hard days but I am definitely team with a mix of and two colleagues proud of what we have local people and expats pitched a green achieved with the team. under a new company, I think this is really an CDWE. Taiwan is hydrogen initiative iconic DEME project a new environment, to our CEO at which has proved our we have to consider DEME’s innovation technical capability.” typhoons, earthquakes, new logistic chains, disruptor event What do you still high humidity, as well DEMEx. It is really dream about? as special consideraexciting to see that “Ha-ha, my wife says tions when procuring I dream about too many equipment and sourcthe ball kept rolling things. I am a person ing spare parts. As and our presence that has a very strong engineers we have to in this sector is desire to explore the be aware of that. A new world, so my latest vessel is a big technical becoming more and adventure to Taiwan challenge for all of us more tangible. matches perfectly! and yet we are combining our two cultures, Professionally, I want sharing our knowledge, to perform to the best and this is a strong of my ability as a Lead basis for the future Engineer and manage this extraordinary project works here.

– involving a pioneering new vessel ‘Green Jade’ as well as DEME’s first foundation installation DEME is helping to train local people to in Taiwan – successfully. execute the project so they will be self-­sufficient in the future. We have a team of 10 engineers Five years ago myself and two colleagues on the project (local and DEME) and the pitched a green hydrogen initiative to our Taiwanese engineers will also join the vessels CEO at DEME’s innovation disruptor event offshore, just like our HQ engineers do, DEMEx. It is really exciting to see that the ball so they can learn as much as possible. This is kept rolling and our presence in this sector is very much the DEME vision of supporting becoming more and more tangible, even to local development, which will in turn help the point of aiming to establish a green hydroto establish a whole new industry in Taiwan. gen plant. We are now seeing other companies I am very proud of this team and feel that we jump on the bandwagon and with the growing interest I am sure green hydrogen is likely to go the same way as offshore wind.

It would be great to be involved in the execution of this next business of DEME and indeed, the operational side of other neverbeen-done and state-of-the-art projects.”

Do you have a tip for DEME? “To broadcast our brand more. People often ask which company I work for and they sometimes only understand what we do when I mention a certain unnamed competitor, which is very annoying. And DEME for sure is more creative, competitive and innovative than them! DEME is such a great company I would like to see it have a higher profile also to be able to reach out to more potential colleagues. I am very proud of what we’re doing.”

FAB FOUR – 13

SNAPSHOT

Meet the DEME Concessions team With more than EUR 7 billion of projects closed for the DEME Group, it is perhaps surprising that not so much is known about the team behind the deals and their role within the company.

In just six years, DEME Concessions has successfully secured an extensive pipeline of projects.

Initially, there was one Belgian offshore wind project and a few potentials. So here we meet the team – Martin, Kristof, Herbert and Steven – and they give some valuable insight into their day-to-day work, and how this ultimately plays a role in creating a sustainable company and indeed, a sustainable planet.

Managing Director Martin D’Uva summarises: “DEME Concessions helps maximise the value that DEME Group get out of a project. We develop, structure and finance projects which secure and de-risk work for our sister companies in the Group (what we call ‘additionality’) and we earn a market return on the equity that we invest in those projects.”

Kristof Van Loon says: “I think we can say there is a special characteristic because for a big part, we are mainly developing and structuring deals. We are used to developing deals right from the early start of the project. And of course, it is good to have a commercial profile to make sure we get the right deals out of the market and that we develop and establish the right partnerships. We structure the deals, streamline them, and bring them to financial close. Then we can start building.”

Commenting on what sort of person is suited to working in Concessions, General Manager

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In most cases leads originate from DEME’s own global network and people, not tenders.

Steven comments: “Our DEME colleagues have vast networks all over the globe and they

notify us that there might be a first-mover advantage to get involved early on and take the project to the next step.”

“This is really the strength of the Group.

DEME enjoys a network in pretty much every location.”

Much of the team’s work reflects the spirit of DEME and is pioneering in nature, whether it's going out to countries across the globe

AN INDUSTRIAL SHAREHOLDER

“Once it's operational we remain actively involved and a driving force to grow the business of our participation,” adds Steven.

He describes DEME Concessions as ‘an industrial shareholder’. “In the long term, we are not a mere equity provider, but we are an industrial shareholder that tries in most GENERATING AND DE-RISKING PROJECTS cases to (co-) steer the FOR THE GROUP business of the project There is sometimes the misin which we participate.” conception that Concessions Concessions gets involved is almost ‘some sort of Santa very early on and quite Claus’, General Manager often changes the paramSteven Bouckaert says. “That Decarbonisation eters of the deal until it we can work some magic and the becomes feasible, he adds. and the money is directly production “We raise the funds, equity on the table to execute the and debt, take it to financial work. But any project/deal of renewables close, and finally execute we structure has to bring in the form of and manage the project.” value for money to the offshore wind or banks and the shareholders.

Projects should generate other resources Once in a concession, DEME becomes part of the ecoa steady cash flow in the will remain key nomic fabric, Steven says. foreseeable future or good for economies “Being an ‘industrial invesprospects in case we ever tor’, and pushing the proworldwide. decide to sell our shares. ject forward commercially, In both cases we need to Hydrogen will we become part of the local have a sound business case. be added to this. economic fabric, and that If you sell, you need to sell in turn creates opportusomething that's healthy nities in the geographies and if you stay in, you want where we operate.” to have stable cash returns.”

Martin agrees, adding that a sound business case underpins all of the projects. “We take the responsibility that we have very seriously, and we know that we are entrusted with investing hard-earned euros from our Activity Lines. We have a responsibility for earning a good return on that money, and in so doing generate steady cash flows and capital gains which help make the Group more stable and stronger. From those early beginnings six years ago, the team has landed some fantastic projects and we share this success with the broader Group, as we are doing with the recently announced ScotWind concessions.”

without a tendering process ever having taken place. “For example, we see an opportunity because there is a developer working somewhere trying to get through the consenting process and they would benefit by having an industrial partner on board,” adds Kristof.

One example is in the Port of Duqm in Oman, whereby the company is firstly a port authority concession holder but then this led to the idea of developing a green hydrogen plant. Something similar is now happening in France, he says at Port-la-Nouvelle.

“Our position as a long-term active investor enhances our network and understanding because we are not perceived as another ‘hit and run’ contractor but a player that adds value to the economy in the long run. We are really an active industrial developer, which is very different from our competitors’ approach.”

The team point out that there is sometimes the perception that they merely react to tenders.

Whereas in reality, they look to develop deals

Port-la-Nouvelle, France

Recent successes PORT-LA-NOUVELLE, FRANCE

As part of a consortium, DEME Concessions was awarded a 40-year port concession for Port-la-Nouvelle on May 1st, 2021. The concession company is a Public-Private-Partnership named SEMOP Port-la-Nouvelle. This concession directly fits in with the DEME Group’s ambitious sustainability goals because the French port is undergoing a major redevelopment, which includes establishing a strategic hub for the floating offshore wind industry, and improves logistic processes (less road km). With the deep-sea infrastructure, new terminal facilities, rail distribution capacity to Europe and innovative management, the future port of Port-la-Nouvelle aims to become the regional blue economy hub, in turn supporting the energy transition.

which encompass the full value chain, starting with 100 % renewable energy, the ­production of hydrogen in electrolysers and then the conversion to green ammonia. In the first phase of the proposed 1.5 GW project, HYPORT® Duqm will develop a 500 MW (electrolyser capacity) green hydrogen facility.

HYPORT® Duqm will use the port as its gateway to deliver competitive decarbonised molecules to users worldwide.

SCOTWIND

HYPORT® DUQM, OMAN

Marking a huge achievement in the offshore wind industry, Thistle Wind Partners, a consortium of DEME Concessions (Wind) NV, Qair Marine and Aspiravi, was awarded 2 GW worth of options for lease areas in Scotland’s highly competitive ScotWind seabed leasing process, which includes both fixed (1 GW) and floating foundations (2 x 500MW).

The HYPORT Duqm project is playing a crucial role in DEME Concessions’ ambitions to facilitate the growth of clean fuels and DEME and its partners will establish an industrial-scale, green hydrogen plant at the port. Combining innovative technologies at scale, this is one of very few lighthouse projects worldwide

The current portfolio also includes operational offshore wind farms in Belgium, the Port of Duqm in Oman, and the Blankenburg Connection project under construction in the Netherlands. In 2019, it sold the highly successful Merkur offshore wind project in Germany.

DEME enjoys a network in pretty much every location.

From left to right: Steven Bouckaert, Martin d'Uva, Kristof Van Loon and Herbert Jost

seeking out those opportunities or entering new markets and helping shape them, just like DEME is doing in the green hydrogen arena, which Herbert heads up.

ALWAYS PIONEERING – OFFSHORE WIND, NOW HYDROGEN

“Success breeds success,” Herbert Jost says.

“Once you reach financial close, your network grows exponentially and more parties realise what DEME’s capabilities are and where we will make a valuable contribution. They then approach us.”

Although he does point out that DEME is itself a front runner in the green hydrogen sector, it is a slightly different situation.

“As the market for green hydrogen is in its infancy, it is actually a race between capable parties to secure the most competitive locations. DEME is among the first companies to structure a complete value chain to produce green molecules.”

SUCCESS DUE TO SUPPORTING CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAM

However, there is no doubt in the management team that Concessions is only able to achieve these complex projects because of the wider support of its cross-functional team.

Although DEME is engineering led, there is a multidisciplinary Concessions team in place of technical, commercial, financial and legal expertise needed to ensure that they succeed.

Steven highlights the level of complexity they deal with. “We have to establish the right partnerships, find the right industrial players, equity providers etc. and we have to make sure the revenue flow is synchronised between those different players. It's nice work, but hard too!” The legal team is absolutely critical in helping to find solutions and document the deal, he points out.

“For example within a concession we may have a works contract of EUR 1 billion. But we still have to do a concession agreement with the concession authority, a shareholders’ agreement between the investors, plus the financing

agreements and related set of agreements with the lenders of EUR 1 billion!”

EACH DEAL CAN COMPRISE 30 DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS

Indeed, Herbert points out that the average project asset is typically founded on 30 different agreements and sometimes more.“ Therefore, putting those agreements together and managing all those resources is one of our key tasks.”

Kristof adds: “Besides the Business Developers, we have a compact technical team where our project managers and tender managers do a tremendously good job. They are looking at the full project on a technical level and they liaise with our colleagues in the contracting departments to get the latest knowhow and that's how they build up a technical project file. And they work to get there in an organic way, with the team of developers responsible for structuring the deal, making sure that the financing is in place and steering the commercial negotiations, all with the support of the legal team.”

Herbert says another important role of Concessions as an early stage developer is to ascertain that there is a ‘dual cultural fit’ – culturally in the sense of different company cultures and also in overcoming cultural differences between countries. “We don’t do any project anywhere in the world alone!” he asserts. Steven nods, “Yes, moreover, when we go further away from home it is imperative to work with reputable partners with the local knowledge.”

A FUTUREPROOF PORTFOLIO

Crucially, the Concessions’ asset/project portfolio is also futureproofing the DEME organisation. “Decarbonisation and the production of renewables in the form of offshore wind or other resources will remain key for economies worldwide. Hydrogen will be added to this.

Any derivative of green hydrogen will play a key role in achieving decarbonisation targets, as will green infrastructure and green ports, so this portfolio is futureproof !”

Who is who?

MARTIN D’UVA Managing Director Martin D’Uva joined the DEME Group in January. Martin has more than 20 years of international experience and for the last decade he was working for different parts of Spain’s ACS Group, a leading infrastructure company. His career with ACS started in Spain, took him to Germany, and then Australia where he was Managing Director of Pacific Partnerships, a developer and manager of infrastructure concession assets.

STEVEN BOUCKAERT General Manager (Dredging & Infra) Steven has spent his entire career in the maritime sector. He started his career in the stevedoring business in the Port of Antwerp. During the last 20 years he has been involved in transactions and concessions internationally in the port industry.

He joined DEME in 2016.

HERBERT JOST General Manager (Green Hydrogen) Herbert has spent 36 years in the energy business, involving a diverse range of companies and countries such as E.ON in Germany, Fortum in the UK, and NUON. “I've been developing, building and operating energy assets all my working life, from power stations to storage facilities to renewable power assets.” Herbert joined DEME in 2016.

KRISTOF VAN LOON General Manager (Offshore Wind) Kristof started his career with DEXIA Bank, specialising in structured finance and then he joined BESIX, an international construction group, and was involved in project financing. VINCI Concessions was his next move, first as Manager in structured finance in Europe and then as Project Director building the Concessions presence in North America. He joined DEME in 2014, and has mainly been focusing on offshore wind development.

The team are certain they have a winning strategy for the future, focusing on offshore wind, ports, dredging channels, infrastructure and green hydrogen, and they are always looking for new ventures too.

projects. We work well as a team, combining the different disciplines, and priority number one is working in harmony with our sister companies, partners and other external stakeholders. Collaboration is key!”

Martin comments: “We're delivering on that winning strategy. As a major marine contractor, we are well positioned to be a leading developer of offshore wind and marine projects. And if you look at green hydrogen, it is like offshore wind was 20 years ago.

We are again pioneers at the forefront of developments, helping shape a new sustainable industry.”

In the long run, our projects help create a better world, emphasises Martin. “Whether it's offshore wind farms or green hydrogen contributing to a more sustainable world, or whether it's ports and other infrastructure that help improve the economy and livelihood of the countries where we're operating.”

Concessions spearheads these integrated projects for the Group, he says. “These are complex and challenging, but also very exciting

15

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT ABU QIR 2, EGYPT

When you create land it is pure magic There can be few projects where such a sense of history is apparent, and where DEME is playing its own role in creating a new chapter for the history books. Abu Qir essentially even existed before Alexander the Great had founded nearby Alexandria in 332 BC. Napoleon Bonaparte fought two famous battles in the bay in the 18th century, and now DEME is creating land for the future – and not just land, but an entire new city and a greenfield port, after being awarded the prestigious Abu Qir 2 project. Abu Qir 2 will be one of the deepest and largest ports in the Mediterranean Sea.

By the end of 2021, the Abu Qir 2 team had dredged 130 million m3, and this included well over 800,000 m3 a day on many occasions!

Amedeo Peyron, Area Director Middle East, and Malik Boukebbous, Area Manager Egypt & Libya, are the management team leading this extraordinary project. Commenting on the progress made, Amedeo says: “I believe this is by far the best production rates of any DEME project.” Malik adds that this production level is even likely to be a world record, with no other competitor achieving such staggering volumes.

This terrific accomplishment is undoubtedly due to strong teamwork at all levels, they stress.

“There was a lot of coordination from HQ, including the mobilisation of all the vessels, and the site team did an amazing job to make sure everything was ready,” says Malik.

Abu Qir 2 gives Amedeo and Malik the chance to work closely together again. Amedeo laughs, saying: “As a fresh engineer out of university in Italy, I actually started my career 20 years ago at SIDRA, our Italian subsidiary.

It was there I met Malik, so we have known each other for a very long time! In the first five years I was mainly involved in marine civil construction projects in which SIDRA still has a very strong tradition.”

For 10 years, Amedeo was General Manager of ISD in India and then Area Manager for South Asia before being appointed to his current position. “I arrived when Pierre Catteau was about to retire. He had established DEME very solidly in Egypt, with an excellent track record, and I am aiming to keep up the good work.”

Now based in Cairo since 2014, Malik started his career in Italy in 1992 and subsequently worked on projects in Nigeria, Belgium and Qatar, including the New Doha Port project.

But it is really the Lac Sud 2000 sanitation project in Tunisia which is most vivid in his memory. “This multidisciplinary project was when I really understood DEME’s potential and I knew it can become a global solutions provider and play an important role in the world and for society.

STRONG PRESENCE IN EGYPT

“And now in Egypt it is very gratifying to see how the excellent track record developed in the past has helped in building a strong commercial position in the country. We are helping to shape the vision of a country in terms of

16 - SPOTLIGHT

its infrastructure requirements for the future.”

Malik points to the Lot 6 Suez Canal dredging works which were such a success that DEME decided to stay and build its presence up in Egypt.

Amedeo is clearly delighted that DEME has not only won such a crucial project but also that the project team, led by Dirk Draulans and Roberto Molino, could make such rapid progress in a very short time frame. “Just one month after signing the contract, our hopper ‘Nile River’ had arrived and had immediately started pumping sand.”

NEW PORT, NEW CITY

On completion, there will be 10 million m2 of new land which will partly serve as a new port and partly as a new city. A large, multifunctional port facility will be created next to the Abu Qir Container Terminal, (the Abu Qir 1 project). DEME recently handed over Phase One of this project, which was completed on schedule. The port will have depths of up to -22 m to accommodate the next generation of ships in the market. The rest of the development will be used for the construction of a new city, ‘New Abu Qir’ which is being planned for approximately 500,000 residents.

“We started off with a very strong fleet,” he adds. ‘Reynaert’, ‘Artevelde’, ‘Brabo’, ‘Breughel’, ‘Breydel’, ‘Nile River’, ‘Congo River’, ‘Bonny River’, ‘D’Artagnan’ and ‘Ambiorix’ have all been working tirelessly. At peak times three CSDs, including our new flagship ‘Spartacus’, and seven hoppers were working on the project.

THSD ‘Spartacus’ in its full glory in Abu Qir

a solution was found and ‘Spartacus’ was able to continue dredging.”

challenging it is to coordinate all those green dredgers! There is an air of calm,” Malik says.

EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCTION RATE

Another challenge was handling Covid. And although there was an outbreak on board ‘Spartacus’ it was contained swiftly, enabling the CSD to continue working. Some crew members had to isolate in their cabins but it was properly managed due to close coordination on board and ashore. Amedeo emphasises: “Again we would really like to compliment the team, there was a zero tolerance approach and they traced all the contacts, which helped avoid a serious outbreak.”

The exceptional power and production rate of the giant cutter has also led to a completely different approach on the reclamation side.

Given the volumes and speed that the mixture comes out of the pipe, the executing team ashore had to adapt their way of working.

However, Amedeo emphasises that the Abu Qir 2 team, led by Dirk and Roberto, were fully prepared and had the right equipment in place, which meant they were able to manage the flow.

“I have been absolutely amazed how well organised the project site is considering how many people are working there and how

The two stress that Abu Qir 2 couldn’t have happened without Abu Qir 1. “There was quite a lot on our shoulders so our top management, Luc and Philip, were also

FIRST PROJECT FOR ‘SPARTACUS’

Abu Qir 2 is achieving another historic milestone as well, as our mega CSD ‘Spartacus’ literally ‘cut its teeth’ on the project. On her maiden voyage, the vessel sailed directly to Abu Qir. After much anticipation ‘Spartacus’ has performed very well and everyone is impressed by the vessel’s capabilities. “‘Spartacus’ has much higher production than other dredgers and the workability and ability to handle higher waves is in no doubt.

Alongside that, the vessel has a great crew,” Amedeo stresses.

The expertise of the team was tested by a small setback with the cutter ladder, when one of the hoisting wires snapped. “Being approximately 200 tonnes, the team had some difficulties getting it back on board. But thanks to a highly experienced crew and project team

Several of our vessels and their crew contributing to the realisation of this huge project.

I have been absolutely amazed how well organised the project site is considering how many people are working there and how challenging it is to coordinate all those green dredgers!

very much involved and had meetings with President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to conclude the negotiations.”

Malik points out that this contract was undoubtedly awarded due to many years of hard work establishing a solid base and a successful track record in Egypt. “Our achievement at the new Suez Canal project led us to the decision to stay in Egypt in 2015 when there was ‘not a lot of enthusiasm’ from competitors. We put a great deal of energy into developing relationships and we have been able to consolidate our local presence with the stakeholders and local team.”

SIX NEW CONTRACTS AFTER SUEZ

DEME has won another six contracts after the Suez Canal, plus some variation orders, and the majority of these have been awarded by the Egyptian Navy, our client at Abu Qir 2. “We have shown we are reliable and best in class – a master of marine engineering. This gave the Navy peace of mind when it started negotiations with us as an international contractor. Abu Qir 2 is the Navy’s first major marine contract, and a substantial commitment.

FANTASTIC PROJECT TEAMS AND AMAZING CREW

Once again they stress that a crucial factor for success are the fantastic project teams and our incredible crew. “We mobilised Dirk and Roberto for Abu Qir 2 and Mario Boons and Marc Aoun at Abu Qir 1. They had a huge challenge given all of these vessels and the coordination of the logistics. And it was done in such a short time and during Covid lockdowns!”

Amedeo says: “Look at the logistics! Seven to 10 dredgers and not small ones. Just organising the timely delivery of fuel is a feat in itself.”

They are all doing an excellent job and have worked hard to establish the right protocols to work safely, he says. Due Just one month to the pandemic and travel restrictions, DEME couldn’t after signing rely on its Indian workforce the contract, but this has led them to develop a much stronger our hopper local workforce. “Our people ‘Nile River’ had have put a lot of energy into arrived and had training and making sure everything is being done immediately properly to our standards.” started

pumping sand.

“Abu Qir 1 and 2 are only 500 m apart, but if we hadn’t been involved in Abu Qir 1 we couldn’t have achieved this one. Abu Qir 1 was amazingly complicated, with many stakeholders and eventually negotiations lasted for two years,” Amedeo says. “We have really had time to get to know the Navy and GIECO and talk to each other.

The bond we have formed has made us ready for the next big step and a much bigger endeavour.”

When including the reclamation team, crews and subcontractors, there were more than 650 people working on the projects. “Our HR department has also done a great job in challenging circumstances, getting people on board and on site,” says Malik.

Just as important is the fantastic crew. Malik stresses: “Looking at the coronavirus circumstances our crew still managed to be reliable and they are applying all of their expertise to these projects. We really would like to express our gratitude. Unfortunately, we didn’t always

have time to meet everyone because of the restrictions and pace of work, but we are truly grateful.”

Amedeo comments: “It is amazing to see the reclamation site changing every day.

When you create land it is pure magic.”

DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES BUT NO END IN SIGHT

“I now have to drive for 30 minutes to go to the sea and far away you see Alexandria.

It is astonishing what DEME is able to do.

For the Egyptian government this is a real game-changer. Egypt has a very young population which is growing quickly and at the same time, there is very little land available. That is why the President wants to create these new cities.”

Malik adds: “Our successful track record in Egypt is further solidified and it is our intention to grow further. We would like to play a major role here, not just in growing our turnover, but to help develop the infrastructure and ultimately, to help society.

“Our company can do amazing things and that is based on the passion of our people, and guys like Dirk, Roberto, Mario and Marc. We have great people in the field and fantastic equipment which our shareholders continue to invest in. This contract highlights one of the most important factors – a lot of client relationships are based on trust. We are dealing with the Commander of the Egyptian Navy, he places his trust in us and we in him. It was these strong relationships and trust that finally made it all possible.”

Amedeo says: “Abu Qir 2 is an amazing reference project. The fact that we have created this huge land mass so quickly and so nicely is incredible!”

Malik agrees: “I am absolutely proud. Five years ago, perhaps DEME wouldn’t have been expecting to be involved in such a project in Egypt. For me this extraordinary achievement was highlighted recently. Our colleagues who had been involved in the initial negotiations with the Egyptian Navy went to visit the site.

You can now drive for 30 minutes and you cannot see the end! And that’s only the result of the initial negotiations! They were in fact very hard negotiations, but just see how their efforts have paid off !

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

“If you keep believing we are working towards a better future, it is amazing what you can achieve. I have really learnt how our great company works, when you have so many people and so many DEME vessels in one area, and see the ability of the team to handle any issues they face. This is the way to achieve the operational excellence we are striving towards.”

Amedeo concludes: “I have great pride in what our company has accomplished in Egypt.

And this has been done by everyone standing shoulder to shoulder – Luc, Philip… they have all assisted us in our relationship with the client and provided whatever was necessary.

Abu Qir 2 represents the next generation of projects and the fact that we have achieved so much will help us move to the next phase.”

He adds that the project is even more special because organising large-scale EPC works is not usually the main job of the Navy.

“No wonder they are extremely proud of this new land.”

17

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT PROCUREMENT

New procurement model and way of working set for rollout

Collaboration is key!

Jan Van Rossum, Group Procurement Director, is heading up DEME’s ambitious Procurement Transition Programme (PTP). Jan and his team are tasked with developing and installing the optimal procurement operating model to manage the Group’s annual EUR 2 billion procurement spend on equipment, materials and supplies. Establishing this new way of working is the ultimate example of co-creation and the benefits are already in evidence.

Jan explains why the programme is necessary.

Founded on co-creation, the PTP is establishing a new consistent way of working and a new operating model and above all, it centralises and harmonises procurement activities, he says.

“It is not just a matter of buying the latest procurement software, it provides a streamlined organisation with less complex, standardised processes. It is also putting user-friendly, simplified systems in place including a new procurement tool (Ivalua). Importantly, the programme is investing in people development, enabling employees to boost their competences and procurement skillsets.

“Currently, Project Managers take care of their own projects and Fleet Managers deal with their own supplies, which has understandably led to the development of ‘procurement islands’, multiple ways of working, inconsistencies and procurement activities scattered throughout DEME. Additionally, this means that we have limited visibility into information that can help support purchasing decisions.”

NO MORE ‘PROCUREMENT ISLANDS’

At the moment, approximately half of procurement needs are covered with the assistance of the central Procurement Department, with most of it carried out at project level.

“This needs to get close to 100% so we are building an organisation, improving processes and tools to make this possible.”

The main objectives are to secure the supply (respecting time, quality and service levels), to deliver operational efficiency, including compliance, and to gain benefits from early procurement involvement – from the tender stage right through to aftercare.

“Once our data is centralised this can be used to improve framework agreements, to increase compliance and it makes it much easier to establish sustainable procurement. We can gather all of the related data, analyse it and identify potential synergies.”

To give just one example he says this is important to be able to offer more support to the vessel maintenance teams. Coming from projects and working with the fleet helps him to understand what the problems are, and what is feasible, he stresses. “I also want to keep it simple! It shouldn’t be a burden.”

MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE CONSULTED

During the process the PTP team has consulted more than 200 people within the DEME Group and established a network that provides vital input regarding the requirements of both projects and vessels.

Six procurement clusters of categories have been identified by the Corporate Procurement Department and these are supported by six teams headed up by Lead Category Managers.

The Procurement Business Partners serve the Activity Lines, together with a team of Procurement Coordinators and liaise with the Corporate Procurement Department about the respective needs of their Activity Line projects and fleet.

SEEING THE BENEFITS ALREADY

“We are already seeing the benefits of solving this together, in both cost efficiencies and project results. And there is a good cooperation within the organisation and positive

It is really nice to get better acquainted with other members of the DEME team, see things progressing and that everyone is very motivated and eager to learn.

Close collaboration results in bunkering savings at Saint-Nazaire One great example of how close collaboration regarding procurement is achieving some fantastic results are the new arrangements regarding bunkering for the Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm in France.

The Bunker Desk then investigated alternatives and came to the conclusion that fabricating a bunker manifold-skid was the best option. They designed the skid with a manifold where it was possible to connect five trucks at one time, enabling the bunker flow to maintain the same rate as a bunker barge (150 M3/h ).

“This enabled us to be very flexible and we are able to connect trucks one after another in one operational workflow. The platform is a relatively small investment compared to the cost efficiencies gained,” Luc Hertogs emphasises.

And the project team were so delighted with the result they nicknamed the new

18 - SPOTLIGHT

One example of this success is the so-called GOLTOG, which is leading to substantial bunkering savings (see insert).

COLLABORATIVE APPROACH VITAL

Jan enthuses: “This programme is the perfect example of close collaboration. The key is that the PTP is actually not just about procurement alone, there are interfaces established between other departments – Legal, Compliance, BISS, Finance – so the new Ivalua procurement tool and the programme can be optimised as much as possible. Input from these departments is invaluable and has been integrated into the new processes and systems.”

Faced with no bunker barges being available, the project team had to bring fuel in by barge from other ports far away, but this was very expensive.

Testings of Ivalua

feedback from the Project Directors and Fleet Managers.”

invention GOLTOG, which is a combination of the designers’ surnames, Luc Hertogs and Edvin Gogol.

VITAL ROLE OF KEY USERS

None of this would be possible without the help and support of the Key Users, Jan points out. They are future DEME users of the new procurement tool Ivalua and they are involved in the design, build, testing and implementation of the tool.

Currently, the tool is being tested, preparing it for the rollout from July onwards.

Nearly 30 Key Users are taking part from Corporate Procurement and the Activity Lines, as well as other departments such as Finance and BISS. Key Users are not only critical in implementing the new system, they are also important to help DEME communicate the changes (new processes, way of working, etc.) to their colleagues that are not so closely involved in procurement activities. They will also be responsible for helping to train their colleagues.

From left to right: Jan Van Rossum, Luc Hertogs and Michiel Vanderplanken

Three of our Key Users outline the importance of the new procurement programme.

A COMPLIANT, DIGITALISED, AND USER-­ FRIENDLY PROCUREMENT SOLUTION

Michiel Vanderplanken, Business Partner Procurement & Category Manager in General Goods & Service, agrees with Jan: “Collaboration is crucial. And here the One DEME, One Team culture plays an essential role. We are finding where we can complement each other in the short term, but also for the longer term.

“It is really nice to get better acquainted with other members of the DEME team, see things progressing and that everyone is very motivated and eager to learn.” While developing Ivalua the team is exploring a lot of new areas, gathering data, analysing it, and talking to internal customers, he explains.

“Dialogue is vital and key to identifying cross-functionality and synergies within the Group. We are making sure the right contracts are in place and that these contracts cover all the risks for DEME. Additionally, this new approach is important for our compliance and security of supply – that we have sound partners and suppliers, the right pricing, sharp lead times, the proper service level…”

Michiel is personally looking forward to a vastly improved data stream. “The big challenge is always getting the right quality of data. Starting from good data, you can build real insights. We have the Consumables Catalogues for everything from PPE to bolts and hammers… but these are often outdated paperbacks or PDFs. The big dream is to have an internal, ‘Amazon-style’ webshop with a user-friendly interface.

“With the help of technology we can make sure we have a compliant, digitalised and user-­friendly procurement solution. It is really satisfying to be working on something that will make people’s life easier!”

DREDGING PILOT PROJECT A SUCCESS

Andrew Fraser, Project Procurement Coordinator of Activity Line Dredging, gives more details about the Dredging pilot which began in January 2021 and ran until May.

“Initially we started by information gathering and we really spent a year examining what needs to be improved. While preparing for the first pilots there were clear deliverables, but it was largely up to the team to set up the structure and consider the things that worked best for each Activity Line. We were given quite some latitude and support from HQ, and there was a lot of trust.”

Andrew explains: “Usually procurement needs for a project would be dealt with by the Project Manager or Works Manager and typically, the system would be very admin heavy and retroactive, with not too much of a focus on long-term strategy. With the new procurement operating model and way of working we are looking to improve the foundations with the introduction of the ‘project procurement lists’ and implement more proactive sourcing procedures.”

Andrew was supported by Malcolm Lim, who he had worked with in Singapore, and Matthias Rammeloo who was working for PwC at that time. “Their support with the pilot was invaluable. Often, we would sit in the evening to the early morning and brainstorm, then already action these items in the morning! It would not have been possible without them!”

Their efforts have resulted in an Excel template, (the Interim Procurement Tool), which can be used for other teams worldwide.

“It was an important innovation and paves the way for further development in the form of the local catalogue (Version 2).” At Abu Qir, the team started off with 15,000 items in the local catalogue, but then managed to narrow this down to 5,500 in Version 2. “This is a very useful supply chain tool - each component is identified, the primary/secondary suppliers, price etc. – and this will enable DEME to consolidate its buying power substantially.”

Collaboration has ‘gone through the roof’, which is very rewarding, he adds. “I am really looking forward to seeing the results of all the other pilots and workstreams, and how everything works together when all the processes are in one system.”

BUNKERING COST SAVINGS ALREADY EVIDENT

With a career spanning 20 years at DEME, Luc Hertogs heads up the bunkering procurement department and is the Category Manager for bunkers and chemicals. His team has conducted investigations into local bunkering markets, working closely with their colleagues across the globe to make sure DEME can cover all of the needs of the fleet and project sites. “We aim to have a full picture of bunkers worldwide and this will enable us to achieve ‘next level purchasing’.”

And rather than having all of the expertise centralised in Antwerp, we want to have this knowledge disseminated to other users in the field and Ivalua will help achieve this, he emphasises. “Bunkers are a very specialised area. You have to have experience to buy the correct product at the best price, and we can help our colleagues benefit from our experience.”

Ivalua will also enable the bunkering procurement department to guarantee the service level for the DEME fleet by making it much easier to retrieve all the relevant data about suppliers etc. “It will help us create a bunkering network and database. For example, every fuel supplier has to be physically on site, we are not dealing with traders or brokers.

We want to guarantee a high-quality service.

If the fuel is expected to be there at 9AM, it has to be there 9AM!”

With the new procurement operating model and way of working we are looking to improve the foundations with the introduction of the ‘project procurement lists’ and implement more proactive sourcing procedures.

And there are already some big success stories, Luc emphasises. The central team has been working very closely with Nereida Gomez, Desk Manager in South America.

This has led to a fruitful exchange of knowledge. “We performed a bunkering market scan in South America looking out for new suppliers for the projects we have coming up.

Ultimately, this has led to us going directly to a refinery, which ‘cuts out the middleman’, enabling DEME to get better prices. And this was all down to collaboration!”

CENTRALISED KNOWLEDGE CENTRE

This initiative is also helping the department set up a new database. “Although we have a single point of contact at the centralised Procurement Department, sometimes the Project Managers order fuel themselves.

By embarking on the PTP we are having much more dialogue with people at the project sites. As well as this, it is very difficult in some countries to source the right quality fuel, so we are all benefiting from this exchange of information. By having this open dialogue with colleagues, all of this information can then be gathered in a centralised knowledge centre and system, including commitments from suppliers on delivery times and prices.”

Jan concludes: “I am very proud of my team.

Establishing the PTP has largely taken place during Covid. We just need an extra bucket of energy to keep going and get to the execution phase. So, let’s keep on working together!”

In July, the implementation of the new tool, operating model and processes will start with two projects and two vessels with the intention (all going well), to enable the rollout for all vessels by end-2022 and for all new projects by the end of Q1 2023.

19

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT DE VRIES & VAN DE WIEL

Amazing projects, Amazing people!

Managing Director Jaap van der Weele, who has been with de Vries & van de Wiel for five years, outlines the three core pillars the Amsterdam-based company is founded on. “Of course, the most important one is our project portfolio. de Vries & van de Wiel is particularly renowned for its dyke enhancement expertise. We have been building and reinforcing dykes for the last 70 years. Regarding our projects, perhaps you could say it is a case of follow the money! In the Netherlands approximately EUR 1 billion a year is expected to be invested in improving the country’s flood defences under the National Flood Protection Programme, and this is over the next 15 years. Here we can really show our value as a constructor of this critically important infrastructure.”

Environmental works – tackling soil and water pollution – is the second core activity and then the company’s highly-prized sand concessions are the third foundation. “We have a distinctive character, I wouldn’t really describe us as a typical dredging company – we perform dry and hydraulic earthmoving work, build dykes, maintenance dredging… These three different parts of our strategy enable us to provide an integrated package. For example, when we have a dyke reinforcement project, we can also clean any polluted soil, then introduce it back into the project.”

REVOLUTIONARY NEW CONTRACT FORMS

We are now truly working together with our client in all phases of the project – the risks and profits are shared, everything is open and transparent.

Currently, de Vries & van de Wiel has three major dyke enhancement projects in its portfolio and two of these have been awarded through completely new contract forms.

“We are spearheading a new way of working,” Jaap says. “These contract types represent an entirely new approach to risk sharing.

Contractors are involved right from the beginning and therefore, from an early stage we can add value. It is not all about money and all of the risks are not put on the shoulders of the contractor, we can talk about them.

“In this way we learn what the client wants and we know how the client thinks. In turn, this gives us a better understanding of the risks involved. The work is based on equality and trust, it is not euro driven.”

GORINCHEM-WAARDENBURG (GOWA) 23 KM DYKE REINFORCEMENT

One of the projects awarded via this new contract form is GorinchemWaardenburg (GoWa), a 23-km dyke reinforcement project, which is part of the Netherlands Flood Protection Programme (Hoog­­water­beschermings­­programma).

Waterschap Rivierenland (the client) tendered using a revolutionary new contract form known as an Alliance and last June, de Vries & van de Wiel and its joint venture partners in the Waalensemble Consortium started operational works there. Design Manager Daan Jumelet explains that the partners of the Alliance work together right from the planning study, designing and costing the project and ultimately, they help shape the project.

“The Alliance contract brings the exploration, planning and design and the construction of the dyke reinforcement into one contract.

This is the first time this contract type was used in the Netherlands related to dyke reinforcement.” The scope includes surveys, design, planning, process, permits and the execution.

Daan adds: “With this new contract form we are not only dealing with the usual contractor risks, but we are also accountable for risks in expropriation, permits and other government risks and we make the 3D designs at the preliminary stage, which is a real switch from the usual process.”

Moreover, this new contract type leads to more innovation, he emphasises. “We are now truly working together with our client in all phases of the project – the risks and profits are shared, everything is open and transparent.

In the past the contract price would be fixed and this would not necessarily stimulate innovative thinking from either the contractor or the client.”

LEKDIJK, PART OF THE NETHERLANDS FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAMME

The second major project whereby the new contract form is again vital is the Dyke reinforcement of Lekdijk, which is also part of the Netherlands Flood Protection programme. The ‘Lek Ensemble Combination’ (de Vries & van de Wiel, Heijmans and GMB) was awarded this under an ‘Innovation Partnership’. Here the Dutch government has selected three parties which will work together to achieve six projects related to dyke reinforcement. These parties must design the project whilst prioritising sustainability, innovation and cooperation.

TSHD ‘Zeeland’ in The Netherlands

20 - SPOTLIGHT

Awarded by Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden (HDSR), the six projects concern the reinforcement of the northern Lekdijk, located between Schoonhoven and Amerongen, over a total length of approximately 55 km. The Lek Ensemble Combination was awarded the Wijk bij Duurstede-Amerongen section and if the planned performance is met, a second project will be assigned.

Project Manager Toine Tillemans, comments: “We build the design together with our partners, and then price the design and this is then submitted to HDSR. If there are issues the contractor and client get together to solve those problems. At both GoWa and Lekdijk we are working with the same partners so we know each other very well, and it feels like one company. In the Lekdijk collaboration we are actually in the same team as a competitor but we work together to consider the best way to go forward. And ultimately if we all do well, we will automatically be assigned a successor project!”

ZERO-EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT

Another very important part of this project, which is in line with DEME’s ambitions to innovate and work in a sustainable way, is the move to work with as much electric equipment as possible. Toine says: “From the start we introduced this sustainable initiative into our tender, it is a breakthrough in the industry – we are working together and investing in zero-emissions equipment, particularly equipment of 20-tonnes and above.” The initiative has also been awarded an EU subsidy for an innovation project related to liquid hydrogen-­ powered, heavy-duty equipment.

Alongside this, the consortium has established the ‘Emission-free network infra’ (ENI) Foundation. This brings a network of infrastructure specialists together where knowledge can be shared, making it possible to achieve zero emissions as swiftly as possible.

Currently, members include Volvo, Hyundai, Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) and TNO amongst others.

Jaap stresses: “Here we are creating an eco­ system with other stakeholders, we are not just contractors. Together with the equipment manufacturers, we are aiming to influence the process of achieving zero emissions and we have already brought this forward – we expect to hit this target in 2026 rather than 2030.

Additionally, I believe this approach really

Toine Tillemans, Project Manager

Barge Unloading Suction Dredger ‘Texel’ and pontoon ‘IJburg’ in Hoorn, The Netherlands

helped us during the tender phase.” On top of that, the consortium is committed to reusing as much material as possible.

“Everybody is convinced that we have to work in another way,” he says. Bas agrees, adding: “These new contracts are also a big step for the Dutch government and our clients too, they have to trust the market more. But for sure contracts will become ‘smarter’ every year and the new contracts will become the norm.”

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME DYKE REINFORCEMENT PROJECT AT WORLD-FAMOUS MARKEN ISLAND

And then the project which the whole of the Netherlands is keeping a close eye on – Marken Island. The historic former island is located on the Markermeer (lake) and is connected to the mainland today via a 1.6 km-long embankment. It is a world-famous tourist attraction, with around one million visitors a year. This special village, known for its lovely wooden houses, highlights just how long the

Bas Visser, Contract Manager

Jaap van der Weele, Managing Director

consider 1,800 residents and every person is effectively a stakeholder, so we have put a lot of effort into open meetings outlining our plans.

Ultimately, we will make sure their houses are safe for the next 50 years and into the future.”

Netherlands has been battling the dangers posed by flooding. As Marken used to be flooded on a regular basis, residents built their homes on earth mounds known as 'terpen' and after the 17th century, they built them on piles.

Works are not allowed to disturb local residents or the thriving tourist industry.

The company must maintain transparent and open communication about the project, so careful stakeholder management is vital.

De Vries & van de Wiel is the lead partner in a joint venture which was awarded a once-in-alifetime dyke reinforcement project following a public tender. The scope will involve reinforcing and building higher dykes on both the south and west side of the island, and represents around 6 km of dyke reinforcement.

Another major concern of OUR PEOPLE MAKE the client (Rijkswaterstaat) is THE DIFFERENCE the settlement of the subsoil Whether projects are awarded and the related dyke safety via the new contract type during the execution stage.

Together with or by more traditional forms, The original dykes are built the equipment all four managers are adaon a homogeneous peat submant that the most import soil layer, Daan explains, so it manufacturers, asset de Vries & van de Wiel is difficult to bring material has, is its people. we are aiming on top because they could to influence become unstable. Around Jaap underlines the point: the process of “For all three projects, 40 % of the material is likely to be compressed when the achieving zero the quality of our people is is dyke is settling. In line our added value. We have emissions. with this, de Vries & van de the right people in the right Wiel will set up a test locaplace, and this is crucial to tion at the west- and south be able to deliver what we side during the design stage, promise. We have amazing to be able to verify the existprojects indeed, but I am ing settlement with the design calculations. more inspired by our people. I am very In this way the team can demonstrate how proud of them, they are doing a fantastic they will tackle this issue. job so we can make progress. It’s people that make the difference and they are the value Commenting on being awarded such a special of our company. We have to take care of them. project, Bas Visser, Contract Manager, says: “The tender criteria for Marken was “With a history spanning 70 years, I feel we largely based on quality, rather than price. are no longer the ‘kid brother’ – the DEME Sustainability (reuse of material, environGroup can count on us, we have proven that. mentally-friendly fuels etc.), how we deal It is so special to have the character of being with stakeholders, the dyke settlement and a family business and then having the strength mitigation measures to ensure that the dyke of a big company like DEME behind us.” remains stable during the execution stage are all very important. The client identified these elements already during the tender stage, and translated them into different awarding criteria. So we had to consider solutions about how we can deal with these risks right from the start.”

Additionally, the dyke reinforcement on the south side will be very close to the historical houses, which makes it challenging to prevent horizontal deformations of the houses due to the construction works. Icebreaking protection barriers will also be restored and replaced to protect the residential area of Rozewerf next to the dyke.

An important awarding criteria was the prevention of nuisance to the local environment.

Environmental dredging with pontoon ‘IJburg’ in Valdemarsvik Huvuddel, Sweden

Besides (subsoil) settlement and dyke stability, stakeholder management is one of the most crucial factors, Bas stresses. “We are working closely with the local community. We have to

21

MEET THE FLEET

Agile and industrious ‘Antigoon’ defies her age thanks to first-rate captain and crew DEME’s TSHD ‘Antigoon’ may well be one of the ‘grand old ladies’ of our fleet but there are no signs she is slowing down, and the enthusiasm of the crew is infectious.

Chandan Kumar Kari has captained ‘Antigoon’ for approximately 4.5 years. He embarked on his seafaring career in 2002 with an Indian dredging company and progressed through the ranks until he became Chief Mate in 2009 with one of our competitors. Captain Kari joined DEME in 2017 and this was when he became a master for the first time. “I am so happy with the opportunities that have been provided at DEME, the projects worldwide and the chance to work with so many nationalities – Ukrainians, Belgians, Indians, Filipinos…It is really interesting to see how other nationalities approach dredging work.”

First Mate, Simhachalam Malagam working next to his Captain.

22 – MEET THE FLEET

And he is certainly fond of the age-defying ‘Antigoon’. “She may be a 30-year-old ship but she doesn’t act like one! ‘Antigoon’ is still going strong because she is such a sturdy, wellbuilt and well-maintained vessel.”

WELL-BUILT AND WELL-MAINTAINED

The manoeuvring capability is particularly impressive, he adds. “‘Antigoon’ is incredibly agile. We are very often working in congested areas but she still manoeuvres quickly.”

One particular standout project for him was a three-month maintenance dredging campaign in Iraq in 2019. “This was actually taking place in a high-risk area and there was difficult topography, with very strong river currents and tides. It was hard to carry out the pumping offshore to the disposal area, but the skills of my crew meant we still managed to complete it on time – even a few weeks ahead of schedule. And because this location was effectively designated a war zone, security was extremely tight. The safety of our crew is paramount.

“However, there was close cooperation between the project team, Project Manager

and Superintendent. It was a great accomplish­­ment.”

Very recently ‘Antigoon’ was one of the many vessels working in Abu Qir in Egypt. This is another favourite all-time project of Captain Kari and his crew. “It was not the usual dredging configuration, we had to extend our pipeline length for 10 days. This is a challenge for us, we are an older ship and working in some pretty rough weather. But I always like to test my skills by encountering such projects.

I would definitely like more of them in the coming years.”

HIGH LEVELS OF PRODUCTIVITY IN MUMBAI

In a recent project, the 25-strong crew worked in Mumbai carrying out a maintenance project in the 21-km-long access channel and berthing pockets of Jawaharlal Nehru

All of the ‘Antigoon’ seafarers are all very valued members of our team.

Anish Dinahar Robinson, 2nd Officer

Port ( JNPT), India’s largest container port.

“We have already completed a substantial part of the work in just 5.5 months!”

First Engineer, Satyam Kumar, has two decades of experience working on the DEME fleet.

Initially, he joined Dredging International (India) in April 2001 to work on board the CSD ‘Al Mahaar’ (previously ‘Amazon’).

Then in 2003 he became a motorman for ‘Pacific’ under ISD. Satyam then joined the crew of ‘Antigoon’ under DIAP in 2011, and in 2019 he was appointed First Engineer.

there have been so many projects in his 20-year career that he is unable to choose a favourite one, but admits that probably the drydocking periods are the highlights.

Kavitha Ramesh, Human Resource Manager from DEME’s Indian subsidiary ISD, stresses: “All of the ‘Antigoon’ seafarers are all very valued members of our team. When you consider that Satyam has been associated exclusively with DEME in some way for 20 years and he has educated himself from being a trainee to becoming the First Engineer of the same vessel, it is admirable. And then Captain Kari, who is Satyam also enjoys life the Master of one of our on the ‘Antigoon’. “I have oldest vessels, but makes sure been aboard ‘Antigoon’ ‘Antigoon’ is still very profor almost 10 years now, so I have a lot of expeWe hope there ductive. He is wonderful at managing the crew members rience with this vessel and will be many if they want to go on leave I am very familiar with the more exciting or extend their contract, or equipment and personnel. further educate themselves.

Additionally, I have done challenges in He always adapts and makes three to four drydockings as the coming the situation manageable. well.” Satyam is also responsiyears!

Due to Captain Kari being ble for the vessel management helpful and his motivation, system and the maintenance the crew trust him and are schedule. “I like working willing to support the comwith AMOS to maintain pany if they have to have an the engines, hydraulics extended stay for instance.” and pneumatic equipment properly.” As well as assigning maintenance jobs to the third engineers and motormen, A FANTASTIC CREW he also assists with crew with training support.

During the two Covid waves in India many “I work closely with our Chief Engineers to of the crew couldn’t get off the vessel on carry out thorough maintenance and to keep time and they often had to spend a long time the vessel running in top condition.” aboard. “They understood the situation and we would like to say a special thanks to the ‘Antigoon’ crew.”

A KEEN FOCUS ON MAINTENANCE Satyam also likes working with different Captain Kari comments: “I want to add that nationalities. “It is great to be able to share we are so grateful to DEME and ISD for their experiences and knowledge. Due to this I bensupport during the pandemic. In the first wave efitted professionally and could gain valuable some of our crew had to stay aboard for five to technical expertise.” He laughs saying that

six months but Kavitha, and both the Chennai and Belgian head office helped keep up morale by sending messages of support. The efforts of the Crewing Department were phenomenal.

It was exhausting for our crew, but this extraordinary effort really helped us.”

Kavitha has worked for ISD since 2012 after a background in crew management. “I have been involved in the maritime industry since the start of my career and I understand the difficulties crews have – leaving their family, spending long tenures at sea. I really like the DEME Group: for DEME safety standards are most important. Generally, Indian companies don’t have such a high emphasis on QHSE. It is nice to be an Indian company with international standards!”

Capt. Chandan Kumar Kari, Master

EAGERLY ANTICIPATING THE NEXT CHALLENGE

Additionally, DEME gives everyone equal importance, no matter what their function is, she adds. “I agree totally!” Captain Kari exclaims. “The management is always r­ eachable at any level and we are all equal. And DEME supports us in difficult situations – Covid and at other times. We are very thankful for their consideration towards employees.”

Mr. Satyam Kumar, First Engineer

For now Captain Kari and his crew are progressing with the JNPT project and already looking forward to the next challenge.

“We hope there will be many more exciting challenges in the coming years!”

Kavitha Ramesh, Human Resources Manager ISD

23

COFFEE BREAK

Twenty-three years aboard ‘Lange Wapper’ and no regrets “She is just a very, very good ship.” On the verge of his retirement on September 1, Captain Bauwens describes his beloved TSHD ‘Lange Wapper’. François has spent a remarkable 23 years aboard ‘Lange Wapper’ and 45 years with the DEME Group.

Commenting on why he has never decided to ‘jump ship’, he says: “Lange Wapper and her sister vessel ‘Uilenspiegel’ are extremely strong and they perform very well. They have a proven track record in the company – our Project Managers are always happy when they know these vessels are being deployed.”

“I never feel scared. I adjust the speed – slow down – and the heading, I know the ship is strong.” Being the first ship out to face the storm ‘Nile River’ did suffer some damage and François felt very sorry for his crew, some of whom were literally green, he says.

His faith in ‘Lange Wapper’ is highlighted when he recounts a story about getting caught in an enormous storm when sailing back from Siberia. The winter ice had returned rapidly so the fleet had to leave and plough their way through the early ice that was forming.

All merchant ships had returned to port and ‘Nile River’ was in the front of the DEME convoy.

For François sailing is in his blood, though not huge ships like the ‘Lange Wapper’.

Generations of his family were inland skippers, transiting the waterways between the Netherlands and France. “I grew up around barges. I knew I wanted to sail, but in the maritime industry and not inland. It is a very special world but also hard. From the age of six I spent my time at a boarding school in the week. I was lucky and could go home at the weekends or stay with my grandparents who also sailed inland vessels. But sometimes I had to stay longer and that was difficult as a young child. However, it makes you resilient.”

GENERATIONS OF INLAND BARGE SKIPPERS

Facing 12-metre-high waves literally – as the bridge is at the foreship – the trusted TSHD was at the tip of the wave before diving down into the pit. Remarkably, he adds calmly:

Shortly afterwards, there was another newJoining Dredging International in March build project, this time for his lovely ‘Lange 1977, François’s first project was the Rupel Wapper’. But certainly he didn’t realise this Tunnel in Boom, and then after doing his vessel would be his ‘second home’ for the next national service in the navy, he came back 23 years! to DI and embarked on his first assignment abroad in Saudi Arabia François started off as where he worked on Second Mate on the the construction of Al hoppers and then was Jubail harbour. This was promoted to First Mate followed by the Delwaide after just 10 months, and dock project in the Port I know every bolt at the age of just 40 he of Antwerp. At this point on that ship! was a Captain. He admits he was always deployed on If there is a he doesn’t even know the MultiCats, launches how many countries he etc., never the dredgers. problem, it has has visited in his lifetime. usually already “Singapore, Australia, It was 1985 before he happened in the India, Pakistan, Russia… stepped on board his first I don’t know, perhaps hopper dredger, and 10 past so we know when I am retired I will years later he joined the how to solve it make a map and total TSHD ‘Pearl River’ which straightaway. them up.” was a newbuild. “At that time ‘Pearl River’ was And for him hoppers by far the largest in the were his definite prefworld with its 17,000 m³ erence. “Occasionally I sat at the helm of the capacity, most of the other dredgers were only cutters and was asked if I wanted to work on 3,000-5,000 m³. I think in those days DEME the CSD fleet. But for me hoppers and cutters had only five hoppers in its fleet.” are totally different entities, you cannot compare them. A CSD is ‘a factory on the water’, I had been sailing all my life.”

10 MONTHS ASHORE WAS ENOUGH!

However, he does admit there was one short break between him and his hoppers.

He laughs and says his career ashore was in his own words ‘a big disaster’. A friend and colleague of François had retired and he had been responsible for the company’s simulator training in Zeebrugge. “He asked if I would be interested in taking over. I thought I could explore life in an office but gosh I was so unhappy. On board, I am used to deciding what I do and getting on with things. The simulator training itself was fine but the weeks between, sitting in an office from 08.30-1700…

I remember when Sunday night came around again and the weekend was over. I had got used to the six weeks on/six weeks off rota.

Eventually after 10 months I went to see Theo Van De Kerckhove and said I wanted to quit the company because I didn’t like the job.

He just smiled and said he had always known I wouldn’t like it from the beginning!”

TSHD ‘Lange Wapper ’ dredging in the Westerschelde, supplying dredged material to the location where the outer lock of the Nieuwe Sluis is being built.

24 - MEET THE FLEET

Fortunately, François said he was super lucky and Theo said he could go back to ‘Lange Wapper’ again. “I was back on my ship. And from the first moment aboard, it was like I had never been away. We were in Colombia on a nice project with nice weather, and a great crew. I am so grateful that the company gave me this chance and that I could go back.

So the moral of that story is that the grass is not always greener!!”

In our latest projects in Latin America, Kurt and the crew were at one point aboard for 18 weeks!

The deepening of the Delwaide Dock, one of Francois' first projects

So why has there been such a strong bond with ‘Lange Wapper’?

“First and foremost, I have a great vessel and a great crew, which essentially has been ‘handpicked’ by me over the years. I never found a reason to switch to another vessel. I am happy and I know every bolt on that ship! If there is a problem, it has usually already happened in the past so we know how to solve it straight­away.”

François has worked with many of the crew members for years. “Our Bosun, Tanny started off as a welder a decade ago, and our current welder John and our pipe operators Agusto and Noe have been with me for many years too. These are key people you want on your ship and not to forget it is also very important to have a good cook! Our cook Richard is an expert in both Asian and European food.”

WORKING ALONGSIDE CAPTAIN KURT ROMELART IS A PRIVILEGE

And certainly a very special person in his career is Captain Kurt Romelart. “Kurt has been my colleague for 15 years. I think this is unique in the company that two captains have worked alongside each other for so long.

Kurt was also on ‘Lange Wapper’ from the start, when he began as the Second Mate. I was First Mate and we worked on the maintenance of the River Scheldt project together initially.”

Later François asked if Kurt could be his Relief Captain. “Our strong bond is good for the crew, Kurt and I always follow the same line, it is not a case of a new captain changing everything each six weeks. If there is a big repair or a decision about who will be the First Mate, we always talk and make sure we are in agreement. Our crew know what we expect from them. I am proud that Kurt and I have been able to work shoulder to shoulder for so long.”

Looking back, what were the standout projects for François?

SINGAPORE – THE ULTIMATE FAVOURITE

Undoubtedly, the favourites are the many projects in Singapore, where he worked for several years. “JIWE, TUAS… there was so much variation. It wasn’t like a maintenance project where you are typically dumping the dredged material – we were pumping ashore, dumping, rainbowing – it was never the same. Fantastic weather, never fog, most of the time you are working in 30-32 degrees. And the world’s dredger fleet was there – perhaps 25 hoppers at the peak.”

In terms of one of the most challenging projects, the Hornsea offshore wind farm, whereby ‘Lange Wapper’ was working for DEME Offshore, was the most difficult project, he explains. “We were performing trenching work for the cables. They were very narrow and we were using a special draghead. Usually a draghead would be 5.5 m and this one was around 3 m.

“It was extremely hard to maintain position in the trenches given the strong currents, wind (up to 35 knots) and swell. Normally, I would place the draghead on the seabed and start dredging but in this case we had to pump the sand next to the trench instead of putting in the hopper. And then we had to go back and push it into the trench. This had never been done before! There was no room for error, if you had to follow a certain heading like 220, and if you are 22/23 you were out! We really had some congratulations from the company – it was a difficult and special job.”

Then recently, the challenges have been largely due to the Covid pandemic. Here he applauds Kurt and the crew. “In our latest projects in Latin America, Kurt and the crew were at one

Francois Bauwens

point aboard for 18 weeks! There were just no opportunities to carry out crew changes in Panama, Peru or Colombia. Every country had its own Covid rules. It was a very hard period for them all.

“And also even getting to the ship, sometimes you were having to do 25-30 PCR/quick tests and if anyone tested positive they had to spend two weeks locked in a hotel room.

Meanwhile, we had to try and keep morale up. That is the most important part of my job as a captain. And in the meantime the project continues – safety, production, maintenance – Covid was on top of all those crucial elements.”

And one thing he never expected to have to do and one that pains him, is having to confine crew members to their cabins when there was an outbreak aboard. “We had to take tough decisions.”

me and I think I will go on holiday to Spain to avoid the bad weather here.”

François smiles and comments: “Of course there are times when it is not always one big happy family but if you would ask me to do it all again – I absolutely would! I am very glad I could have such a long 45-year career at DEME and also a lovely wife who has supported me. There are no regrets. I am not counting the days until I retire at all. If it’s a year longer that’s okay too.”

Hopefully, François won’t have similar problems when he finishes his leave and returns to Colombia for his last-ever job. “It is one of my favourite areas, the weather and the people.”

“I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN!”

As for retirement plans, he doesn’t believe in planning too far ahead. “I will take my grandson Jules to school when my daughter Glynis is working. I have a nice garden.

My wife, Daniëlle, has some jobs lined up for

25

FAB FOUR SITE SUPERINTENDENT

Evelyn De Clercq

Evelyn De Clercq joined DEME 4.5 years ago, straight after her studies in safety and environmental science, and at the beginning of the year she was appointed to her new role as a Site Superintendent. For Evelyn, she had absolutely no connection with the maritime world. “The dredging industry was completely unknown to me, but somehow that is exactly what made it attractive. I was curious and I always want to learn something new.”

She started her DEME career as a Safety Engineer. “I really enjoy working together during the preparation and execution phase and considering how everything can be done in a safe way, and also how safety can be incorporated into our daily operations.”

a lot of freedom. But if you want any help, it is always there if you need it.”

Currently, Evelyn is contributing directly to Belgian coastal protection, performing a beach nourishment project where our TSHD ‘Pallieter’ is being deployed.

Is there anyone/something that has influenced your career at DEME in any special way?

“The teamwork at the New Lock Terneuzen project I would say. The high levels of commitment from everyone and the team spirit shown. And at DEME it is clear you can grow in your job and there are plenty of opportunities. It is wonderful that just out of school I could be working as a Safety Engineer.

DEME gives you the chance to develop professionally but also to develop yourself too.

Looking back at this huge project, I was given the chance to grow. It is not by any means easy, but you know you have a team that supports you and they are on board about safety issues, which enables you to do your job in the optimum way. I am very grateful for that.”

What makes DEME special for you?

“I think it is the allure of the unknown. No single day is the same, so many people cross your path, all with the same interests to achieve the success of the project but they all have their own view of the work. You continually meet new people and work with other departments.

Additionally, DEME offers big learning curves, you are often learning on the job and there is

Which performance are you most proud of ?

“As you probably gathered from my previous answer – definitely the New Lock Terneuzen.

This was a very nice opportunity for me just eight months after I had joined the company.

It was really satisfying to be working on this enormous project, which will give a big boost to the economy. It was also a challenge to be working in a joint venture with a lot of

After four years in this role the curiosity bug and the fact she relishes a new challenge took hold. “I absolutely loved my job at QHSE but I can still apply my knowledge in my new role.

However, the difference is I have to make the decisions and take the lead! It is hard work and I still have a lot to learn, but I am really enjoying it.”

26 - FAB FOUR

partners and subcontractors. We had a big team, around 25 core staff and then all the crews.

As well as this, the project prepared me for my first steps in my new function as a superintendent because we built a small breakwater in the outer harbour. It is terrific that there is something you can see and that it is helping with coastal protection.

I was part of the dredging team and it was fantastic to see everything from the dredging industry in one place!

Backhoes, hoppers, reclamation, the placement of shore protection and working with earth­moving equipment… pretty much No single day is every activity from the the same, so many industry. This was the people cross your ideal chance for me to learn about different path, all with the scopes in such a short time. same interests Involving the excavation to achieve the of two lock heads and one chamber, there were two success of the phases – wet and dry – and project but they it is all taking place within all have their own a small working environment. Additionally, we view of the work. had to make sure we were not disrupting the maritime or road traffic.

The wet excavation from the lock heads and chamber was taking place from a modular pontoon which was pumping all the material into the outer harbour. I was responsible for incorporating the local legislation and DEME’s ‘Safety by design’ guidelines. It was challenging but really rewarding to see how the team was continually looking for new (safety) improvements. The commitment of everyone was impressive and the key to success.

What do you still dream about?

“I would love to see the world, when I have days off I go with friends and explore places. And professionally, I want to grow in my new position and go further, gain experience and knowledge so I can contribute to DEME’s projects.”

Do you have a tip for DEME? “Regarding safety, we should keep on working on solutions in a practical way with people in the field. Involve people, solve problems together, listen to these experienced professionals. It is important to think about procedures and understand the challenges we face in the field and identify any shortcomings. We should integrate safety into the foundations of our corporate culture, into our day-to-day operations, not just have it outlined in manuals. And as we have seen in our campaign about Safety Success Stories, we can all learn from each other and make sure everyone gets a voice.”

BUILDINGS

Climate neutral Headquarters by 2025

TRANSPORT OF PEOPLE

SAFETY FOCUS

ISO 50001 accreditation only possible due to ‘One DEME, One Team’ effort

Focus on reducing short haul flights and reducing the emission for our car fleet

Climate neutral operations in the Benelux by 2030

PURCHASE OF GOODS & SERVICES VESSELS

Magali Bruggeman, Department Manager, and Nick Deboever, QHSE-S Engineer, have played a key role in driving the certification process forward but they are the first to point out that it wouldn’t have been possible to get the accreditation without the help of the whole DEME team. Lloyd’s Register has performed numerous audits on our entities, vessels and project sites during 2021 and without the input and enthusiasm of the team, we couldn’t have reached this milestone, Magali and Nick stress.

The so-called CO2 Performance Ladder is already in place but this is only recognised in Belgium and the Netherlands. International clients, particularly those related to the Activity Line Offshore, don’t know this system so well. “Therefore we cannot differentiate ourselves anymore from our peers,” adds Magali. We already had the Performance Ladder foundation in place, so we could expand on it with the support and involvement of lots of different departments, says Nick.

“Although myself and Nick are coordinating all the initiatives around Climate & Energy related to our eight sustainability themes, everyone at the company is involved in energy management and energy consumption in one way or another. It is not only a story concerning a few people, it is the story of all DEME people. Whether you are in the Technical Department looking after ships, whether you are reporting to an IMO standard, whether you are tendering and clients are asking about our carbon footprint, or you are involved in the Finance Department and dealing with banks and insurers which are also rating us on the non-financial items… Banks, for example, are not only looking at just our turnover anymore.

They are also taking other environmental/ ethical standards into account.

“We knew we needed a broader system – a recognised system – and it had to be possible to integrate it with other standards so we have one large, integrated management system in place and one energy management system for the whole Group.”

“However, though energy management is part of so many jobs at DEME, we were not speaking the same language and people weren’t seeing the whole framework around energy management,” Magali adds.

Nick explains: “For a Chief Engineer the daily activities are mostly concerning engine performance and engine maintenance. Yet perhaps they don’t necessarily see the bigger picture regarding energy management. By getting ISO 50001 accreditation we now have the structure and we all speak the same language.”

Reduction of GHG emissions in our project supply chains

17% of low carbon fuels consumed (energy based) in comparison to total consumed fuels (energy based) by 2026

DEME is one of the first companies in the industry to get accredited for the ISO 50001 Energy Management System standard and there is no doubt that this achievement is the result of a true One DEME, One Team effort.

SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE

MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

ONE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE GROUP

The team then identified the significant energy users of each Activity Line and all the people who are involved in energy consumption, resulting in five ‘building blocks’: Vessels, Machinery & Equipment, Buildings & Head Office, Transport of people (lease cars and business travel), and Purchase of Goods & Services.

This is all logical of course, but also quite challenging, says Magali. “It is easy if you look at the significant energy users for the Activity Lines Offshore and Dredging, it is mainly about the vessels. However, for Infra and Environmental, it is not so straightforward.

And yet their clients are also asking about energy consumption and the strategy and vision of DEME.” The team wanted to be able to present the company’s vision about energy management succinctly. “We made it simple and pragmatic and in the end it is presented and consolidated in just six slides! Every question can be

answered there. Who is responsible for the five big energy consumers, our targets, our energy performance indicators, concrete actions that have taken place…” emphasises Magali.

their Activity Line, or department, everyone will get to know other people doing the same thing – using the same data. People can share their experience and help other significant energy users as well.”

It was a huge job ENERGY MANAGEMENT they both admit, but WILL BE IN OUR DNA they were amazed how Nick agrees, saying: “It's simquickly DEME achieved ilar to safety awareness 10 or It is not just to the accreditation. “We 15 years ago. Now everybody get a certificate thought it would take a within DEME knows about on the wall. We few years but we realised safety, LTIs etc. Our next that DEME is doing so want to change goal is to raise awareness many things already. We about sustainability and our behaviour are just putting a structure energy management so it and also that around it. To reach this becomes part of our DNA. point we held workshops of the whole to get everyone’s input. We “It is not just to get a certifivalue chain, didn’t want to speak to cate on the wall. We want to our suppliers only department heads, change our behaviour and we wanted the opinions of and partners. also that of the whole value people who are working chain, our suppliers and with vessels, machinery partners etc. We all know and equipment each day. that we have to do something They know exactly where to support the planet in its DEME stands today and also where our combattle against climate change. And eventually petitors stand. We asked what their ambitions it also has commercial value. We can tell our are concerning energy management and how clients and stakeholders. We have a clear strucwe can best achieve this. All of this informature, best practices and concrete actions, not tion was invaluable, we then consolidated just targets.” it and brought it back to the management,” she says.

Magali concludes: “It is a chain reaction, because our clients are asking for this structure The team also had a direct link with the we are asking our suppliers and subcontractors, Sustainability Board and the Sustainability and that's how we create change. We are now Ambassadors. “They were marvellous, telling asking them about sustainable alternatives us about sustainability initiatives in each and this will help incentivise them to keep Activity Line. It was really a team effort and on improving, to invest and innovate. If no a great achievement!” one ever gets a question about alternative, green energy sources or greener equipment, Nick emphasises: “This is DEME’s strength. why would they bother to invest?”

Everybody actually knew what they were doing within their department to enhance or improve energy efficiency, and the journey we are on. And they explained this to the auditors.”

As we keep on improving, we will only continue to become even more of an ‘energy management team’, Magali adds. “It is not just only

SAFETY FOCUS – 27

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT NEW LOCK TERNEUZEN

A complex project in a confined space

One DEME team makes solid progress, despite the challenges “I am really proud of what we have achieved,” says Alex Vandemeulebroecke, Project Director Operations of the Sassevaart consortium, the team responsible for the New Lock Terneuzen. “This is a complicated project, but I am happy with the progress. We have good people here.”

Graduating in civil engineering from KU Leuven, Alex started his career with DEME’s parent company CFE in 1994. “It has always been about civil engineering, whether building quay walls, locks, bridges, high-speed rail lines…” The largest project Alex has worked on is the Liefkenshoektunnel in Belgium, which included a 16-km rail link and a 6-km bored tunnel under the River Scheldt.

Alex was Project Director for the joint venture and says this huge, five-year infrastructure project was certainly a good experience to prepare him for the New Lock project. “It was a massive challenge and it was also the first big Design, Build, Finance and Maintain contract in Belgium. And yet we managed to complete it all on schedule.” His next major career move

was when he joined the Sassevaart consortium in August 2017 and was asked to take responsibility for the New Lock Terneuzen project, which will provide better access to the ports of Ghent and Terneuzen on completion. The Dutch-Belgian joint venture Sassevaart comprises DEME Infra, Dredging International and the construction companies BAM Contractors, BAM Infra Nederland and Van Laere.

NEW LOCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXISTING COMPLEX

The New Lock Terneuzen is a complex design & build contract, he says. “It is a highly technical design because we have to construct a new lock in an existing lock complex, which makes it very difficult to construct, very difficult to calculate

and at the same time, we have to make sure that everything can continue working.”

integrated joint venture – everyone is responsible for everything!”

Sassevaart has to allow for the passage of cars, vessel traffic in the locks and maintain the stability of the dykes. “This is not a simple design when compared to other lock projects we have worked on. We have to do everything in stages, make new roads, divert the roads. We have to construct part in the water, part inland, carry out reclamation.” The Design Manager is from BAM, but the Project Managers are mainly from DEME.

As well as six Project Managers reporting to Alex, he also has teams working on the scheduling, quality control, permits, process management, supporting services and QHSE.

At 427 m long, 55 m wide and 16.44 m deep, the New Lock is being built between the West and East locks. As everything has to largely take place at the same time, and in a very confined space, the project team has been divided into six disciplines: - Civil construction (concrete works of the lock itself ) - Mechanical (all the metal structures – doors, bridges, valves, moving parts) - Dredging & groundworks - Electronics (electrical installations, public lighting, stop signs, barriers, cameras etc.)

- Quays and marine installations (exterior elements of the lock – quay walls, piles, mooring, navigational installations) - CWG (Conditioning, roads, buildings and all other activities). This team works in every location and every discipline works with the CWG team.

The dredging works are under a separate scope.

Spreading the ‘ONE DEME ONE TEAM’ vibe at the project site

28 - SPOTLIGHT

Each discipline is also responsible for its part of the design and the Design Managers work closely with the six Project Managers, as well as those responsible for maintenance. “This is a matrix organisation rather than the more old-fashioned, vertical approach. It is a fully

1,200 PEOPLE AT PEAK TIMES

At peak times around 1,200 people were working on the project – 400 in Terneuzen and then another 800 workers at PJOE in Penglai, China. The team in China were all managed

by DEME and PJOE is responsible for constructing the four lock gates, which are 58 m high and weigh 1,600 tonnes each, and two bridges, which weigh around 2,500 tonnes, as well as other metallic structures such as the valves for the lock.

At the time of writing these were just being loaded on a semi-submersible vessel, the Zhen Hua 34, ready for transport to Vlissingen. The shipment is too wide to go through the Suez Canal so will be transported via the Cape of Good Hope.

In addition to the high levels of complexity and the restricted working area, Covid also impacted the project, particularly in China, where there was a complete halt to the work for several weeks. Alex stresses that he has huge admiration for the DEME supervisors who were overseeing the team in China.

“I have so much respect for these guys, they had to be at the project site for many months and each time they travelled back to China, they had to undergo 15 days in quarantine and this often meant being confined to a hotel room, and then if they had to travel to another location in China, they had to quarantine again.”

Meanwhile in Terneuzen, strict measures were in place such as hygiene stations and social

distancing in the canteen etc. “This made it difficult to be as productive as we would have liked and communication is much harder.

However, we were able to make progress and continue with the works.”

Despite the hurdles to overcome, work made solid progression and the team achieved several major milestones.

POURING CONCRETE FOR FOUR DAYS STRAIGHT

Later on, the Midden Sluis (Middle Lock) was closed and demolition of one bridge and a door started. “It is worth noting that we had kept this operational as long as possible so we could minimise the disruption. The other side of the lock head is still operational.”

It is a highly technical design because we have to construct a new lock in an existing lock complex.

The concrete works in the inner and outer lock heads, represent 2 × 90,000 m³, are ongoing. Pouring the underwater concrete for one lock head took four days and was approximately 14,000 m³ per time, so a considerable challenge.

Highlighting DEME’s multidisciplinary team, the excavation of the lock chamber was completed by the Activity Line Dredging, and then two concrete bottom grids (57 m × 17 m × 5 m, weighing 4,500 tonnes) for the lock chamber were successfully immersed in November 2021 under the supervision of DEME Infra. These grids provide the means by which the water level inside the lock will be regulated.

IMMERSING THE GRIDS

The DEME Infra specialists came up with an innovative solution to prefabricate and install them as if they were immersed tunnel elements.

“This really demonstrates our expertise. We also installed 40 cm of gravel within a tolerance of a couple of centimetres! We worked from pontoons and winched the grids down very slowly. Then we filled it with water and poured the underwater concrete for the lock chamber itself before starting the lock walls.”

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Showing that the circular economy is always a key focal point, the demolition material will be recycled and used for new roads along the New Lock complex, leading to a substantial reduction in emissions. “We have taken away the hydraulics, oil, part of the bridge chamber (counterweights) and excavated the walls so they are free standing.” Hundreds of holes were drilled into the chamber and on March 23 the western structure was successfully demolished. This was mainly masonry from the lock built in 1910.

“We will pretty much reuse all of the material.

We take it to be crushed and used for granulates for roads and the site and the steel goes to a local scrapyard. We have even reused one of the buildings. A contractor dismantled a warehouse, refurbished it, and rebuilt it at another location.”

Alex comments: “During this project we have had to be flexible because there have been several modifications to deal with. There was unexpected pollution, cables and old structures from the previous locks. This is actually the sixth lock that has been built in Terneuzen, the first two were built in the 1800s. While constructing the existing East and West lock much was abandoned and not cleaned up

‘Vlaanderen 7 en 8’ working hand in hand with ‘Samson’

properly. Therefore we have been discovering things all the way along that were not part of the original tender, but we have made this into an opportunity! The team has managed to minimise the impact for the consortium and our client.”

“Given the unexpected pollution, the pandemic, and foundations from these older structures, I am very proud of what we have achieved. It has taken a tremendous effort, but we have kept on track.”

TEAM EFFORT

“We have also been able to draw on the skills of the whole Group. DEME Environmental helped us in the remediation. A batching plant was established at the location and we asked the operator to use sand and gravel from DEME Building Materials. And the owner of the batching plant is so pleased with the quality he has now become a regular customer of DBM. Piles were driven by DEME Infra, the equipment and vessels were from DEME… It is a true One DEME effort.

29

THE DEME SUITCASE

“It was a shock when I first arrived at the ‘Congo River’ because I was directly appointed as the pipe operator even though I had never been on a hopper.”

Gregory Deweerdt, Crew Coordinator

Although based ashore now, Gregory Deweerdt, Crew Coordinator, actually started his career as a deckhand in 2010 on a spreader pontoon. Gregory explains that he had no family connection with the sea, but when he was at school he already knew what he wanted to do. In fact, he was so impatient to get to the ocean, he didn’t complete his final studies – as soon as he got his papers at 19 he was off!

After the pontoon he transferred to the rock dumping vessel ‘Pompei’, which he describes as a ‘very special vessel’ with a glint in his eye. “I think there are literally only a few of this type in the world.” This was followed by ‘Congo River’ for seven years, where he met our previous interviewee, Ruben Hulstaert, who subsequently became a very good friend.

“It was a shock when I first arrived at the ‘Congo River’ because I was directly appointed as the pipe operator even though I had never been on a hopper. Everything was really new, so it was a challenge. I absolutely loved it!” The captain later asked Gregory if he would like to be a trainee mate and he eventually went on to become First Mate.

One of Gregory’s first assignments was the Eko Atlantic City project in Lagos (Nigeria).

“This was extremely challenging, it was a completely new vessel so we had our fair share of teething troubles. But the atmosphere aboard was amazing. We got through it all and kept our sanity!”

SOAKING WET AND COVERED IN SAND

He describes one memorable event that is never going to leave him. Gregory grins

saying he can look back now and find it very funny but they were not laughing at the time.

“It was the night before the crew change, and I was working the nightshift with Ruben.

We were just signing off and a flushing pipe broke! There was a huge jet of water, we were soaking wet and there was sand everywhere.

It was tough in Nigeria. We were dealing with the breakdowns and there was very coarse sand present. Piracy was also a factor. I was never scared aboard, and we also conducted many drills and learnt how to use the safe room.” Gregory then went on to Ghana, Togo, India and Egypt.

Another project that stands out in his mind is the Maldives. “We were working with extended dredge pipes building extensions to islands. I thought to myself that many people pay thousands to come here for a week and we had the luck of working there!”

GREAT TEAM SPIRIT AND FANTASTIC CAPTAINS

In 2019 there came a time when Gregory wanted to be at home more often. “I honestly think that being a seafarer is a beautiful job but due to personal circumstances the working regime became a struggle. I always appreciated life on ‘Congo River’ and the opportunities given to me, the great team spirit and fantastic captains, Jan and Max. I will never forget my time there.”

looking for a new Crew Coordinator. “I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time and I can now use my practical experience to better understand the issues of the crew members.”

Gregory now oversees nearly 20 vessels and reclamation areas, from the larger hoppers, ‘Pearl River’ and ‘Nile River’, to Multicats and cutters such as ‘Amazone’, as well as the crew that works on the Belgian coast. In a diverse and interesting role he coordinates planning, crew changes, checks passports, arranges flights, handles promotions, and deals with any personal issues.

He says he decided to make the switch to a career ashore and this particular role because he never wanted to ‘lose the feeling I have for the vessels’. Usually – pre-pandemic times – he would regularly be visiting the fleet. It is ironic that he wanted more time at home he laughs, because now he has perhaps too much!

But he hopes that now the lockdowns are easing he will soon get back to the sea.

SO WHAT WOULD GREGORY TAKE TO A DESERT ISLAND?

My motorcycle! Endless driving without traffic jams really helps to cope with my stress levels.

Gregory didn’t really want to stop sailing but DEME’s Crewing Manager David Everaerts had a proposal for him when he said he was

NEXT TO PACK THEIR SUITCASE: Lieselot De Bosscher

y r o g e r G t d r e e w De

Gregory worked with Lieselot De Bosscher in Ghana where the ‘Congo River’ was deployed on a beach replenishment project involving very coarse sand and shells. “We had to pump it ashore and there were poor weather conditions with a lot of swell, so we were having production problems. Lieselot came from the production optimisation department and really helped us. We had a great cooperation. And later on she mentioned that she was transferring from HQ to the vessels, and even to the cutters! I was quite amazed.” Lieselot is now the Second dredge cutter operator of ‘Amazone’ and ‘Ambiorix’.

FAB FOUR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Manuel Rubiano After a 15-year career in construction and logistics, Manuel Rubiano joined the DEME Group as Business Development Manager eight months ago and is based in Bogota, Colombia.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s in Project Management, Manuel has spent all of his working life in Latin America, with his career starting off at ConConcreto, a large construction company. He has travelled throughout the region for a diverse range of large-scale projects.

What do you still dream about?

“Professionally, I would love to land a longterm dredging contract in the region. That would strategically open the door for a lot of future possibilities. There are some interesting developments in the coming years.

In Colombia and in the region there is a shift in how things have traditionally worked in the business, and opportunities for concessions and public-private initiatives are starting to emerge, which is interesting for DEME. Port development and expansions are other key drivers. Ports here, just like elsewhere in Even though the world, are wanting to DEME is a accommodate larger vessels global company and deepen their access with a presence channels and terminals to boost their local economies. in many

For DEME, Manuel will boost our presence in the North of South America and Central America, and his expertise adds to that of our well-established teams in Brazil and Argentina.

Manuel is mostly focused on dredging activities but he will also support DEME Offshore and Concessions, especially in light of growing interest in the offshore wind industry in the region.

projects highlighted. To be frank, innovation is not necessarily a key driver here in Latin America so this made DEME very attractive to me. Coupled with this, the ‘One DEME, One Team’ slogan also piqued my interest.

Even though DEME is a global company with a presence in many countries, I like the fact that it promotes this ‘one team spirit’ wherever people are based in the world.”

What makes DEME special for you?

“Firstly, DEME’s approach to innovation.

When I was Googling the company to prepare myself for the interviews, I repeatedly saw this pioneering, innovative approach to

Is there anyone/something that has influenced your career at DEME in any special way?

“Well I have had a short career with DEME so far, but I have been impressed with the knowhow and experience that my colleagues have. It’s been incredible to see the knowledge, expertise and capacity of the team.

I certainly admire people’s willingness to share their knowledge and experience.

countries, I like the fact that it promotes this one team spirit.

For example, before I joined I had to travel to Belgium to meet the CEO and management team and this was right in the middle of the Covid pandemic. It was certainly an advantage having logistical experience given the amount of paperwork, red tape and quarantines! But everyone was so helpful. It was quite a journey but definitely worth it!

My trip to Belgium was short, particularly because of the time I had to spend in quarantine. But DEME went out of its way to support me and even sent a colleague – Marcelo Volpi – to Colombia. It was a really nice gesture, and Marcelo spent a week with me explaining the company’s strategy and vision, etc. This was appreciated and Marcelo was such a help.

I don’t think many companies would have done this to welcome a new person on board.”

And personally… well we’re experiencing extremely difficult times worldwide.

I would hope for a brighter future in a brighter world, especially for the sake of my two kids.”

Do you have a tip for DEME? “It hasn’t been that much time in the company, but I would suggest that DEME keeps focusing on the employees… I’ve seen huge potential and experience so that effort of engaging people and strengthening the relationship between DEME and each one of the team members will continue adding value to everyone in the organisation.”

Which performance are you most proud of ?

“I actually can’t reveal too much at this stage because of an upcoming tender. But safe to say, I am hoping to establish and structure a great partnership in Colombia. We have a nice opportunity here.

Then if I think back to my first oil and gas project in Colombia in 2012, this was the first in the country. I helped execute the offshore campaign for the Equion platform and managed onshore logistics for the supply vessels.”

FAB FOUR– 31

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