Royal Boskalis Westminster
Encyclopedia
Royal
Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a Netherlands
-based company that provides services relating to the construction and maintenance of maritime infrastructure on an international basis. The company is claimed to have the world's largest dredging fleet.
In 2007 the company was engaged in two major contracts in Australia - a €300 million contract to deepen the shipping channels
of Port Phillip
in Melbourne
utilising its dredge the Queen of the Netherlands
, and a €50 million contact to expand the harbour at Newcastle
The company is also involved in a €1.1 billion contract to develop a new port in Abu Dhabi
.
On 15 September 2008 Boskalis offered €1.11 billion for fellow Dutch maritime company Smit International
. Despite the offer being promptly rejected by Smit's board, Boskalis subsequently built a stake of over 25% in the firm and expressed a continuing desire to buy a number of its business units. A revised offer of €1.35 billion was accepted by Smit in January 2010, with Boskalis declaring its offer unconditional that March.
Koninklijk
Koninklijk or Koninklijke is an honorary title given to certain companies and non-profit organizations in Belgium and the Netherlands, by the King or Queen in the respective country. It was first introduced by Louis Bonaparte in 1807, the King of the Netherlands at that time, who awarded the title...
Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
-based company that provides services relating to the construction and maintenance of maritime infrastructure on an international basis. The company is claimed to have the world's largest dredging fleet.
In 2007 the company was engaged in two major contracts in Australia - a €300 million contract to deepen the shipping channels
Port Phillip Channel Deepening Project
The Port Phillip Channel Deepening Project began on 8 February 2008 to deepen the shipping channels leading to Melbourne, Australia, in Port Phillip to draught allow greater access for container ships. An estimated A$969 million, was to be spent on the works, with $150 million funded by taxpayers...
of Port Phillip
Port Phillip
Port Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
utilising its dredge the Queen of the Netherlands
Queen of the Netherlands (ship)
The Queen of the Netherlands is a Dutch trailing suction hopper dredging ship constructed in 1998. The vessel has been used in high-profile salvage and dredging operations including the investigation into the Swissair Flight 111 crash and in the Port Phillip Channel Deepening Project...
, and a €50 million contact to expand the harbour at Newcastle
The company is also involved in a €1.1 billion contract to develop a new port in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
.
On 15 September 2008 Boskalis offered €1.11 billion for fellow Dutch maritime company Smit International
Smit International
Smit Internationale N.V. is a Dutch company operating in the maritime sector. The company was founded in 1842 by Fop Smit as a towage company with only the 140 hp paddle steamer tug 'Kinderdijk'....
. Despite the offer being promptly rejected by Smit's board, Boskalis subsequently built a stake of over 25% in the firm and expressed a continuing desire to buy a number of its business units. A revised offer of €1.35 billion was accepted by Smit in January 2010, with Boskalis declaring its offer unconditional that March.