Menu HISTORY Over the past century Boskalis has grown from a local Dutch Sliedrecht-based dredging company into a global market leader in the field of dredging and inland infra, offshore energy, and towage and salvage. Some highlights include playing a major role in the Dutch Delta Works in 1953, going public and receiving the designation ‘Royal’ in 1971, our involvement in ground-breaking international projects such as the Øresund tunnel and construction of Hong Kong international airport in the 1990s, and more recently, the expansion of our offshore activities with the acquisition of Dockwise and Fairmount Marine. Following the acquisition of SMIT in 2010, we provide assistance to ships in distress anywhere in the world (through SMIT Salvage) as well as harbor towage services to incoming and outgoing vessels in major ports and on- and offshore terminals together with our joint venture partners. Boskalis provides these towage services through the joint ventures Keppel Smit Towage (Asia), Saam Smit Towage (Americas), KOTUG SMIT Towage (Northwest Europe) and Smit Lamnalco (terminal services). 2011 - 2016 2016 Boskalis acquires the dredging activities and assets of STRABAG Wasserbau, a market leader in the German dredging sector. In July offshore cable-laying company VBMS becomes a 100% subsidiary. 2014 Boskalis acquires Fairmount Marine, a world-class provider of long-distance ocean towage services. 2013 Boskalis expands its offshore activities, acquiring heavy marine transport specialist Dockwise. 2013 Boskalis acquires 50% share in VBMS, a leading player in the European market for offshore cable installation. 2001 - 2010 Boskalis further modernizes its fleet, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. 2010 Boskalis celebrates its centenary. The book about the history of the company, ‘Verdiept Verleden’ is published (in Dutch), researched and written by Utrecht University. 2010 Boskalis acquires Dutch maritime services provider SMIT Internationale. 1991 - 2000 Boskalis is involved in major projects at home and abroad such as the Øresund Tunnel and Bahia Blanca port construction (Argentina), plus huge projects in the Middle East and Asia, the largest being the land reclamation project for Hong Kong’s international airport, plus various sizable land reclamation projects in Singapore. Boskalis develops from a dredging company into a marine contractor that finds solutions for the most complex questions. 1971 - 1990 Oil and gas as well as large infrastructure projects drive Boskalis’ growth. These include activities related to the installation of oil platforms and pipelines. Boskalis invests in expanding its fleet. 1980s Boskalis weathers the economic recession by focusing on its core business, dredging. It renews its fleet and acquires the well-established Dutch dredging companies Breejenbout (1985) and Zanen Verstoep (1988). 1971 Boskalis goes public and acquires more companies, receiving the designation ‘Royal’. 1931 - 1970 1953 Boskalis plays a major role in the Delta Works project, one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, in the wake of the flood disaster in the Netherlands. Boskalis is awarded new global contracts also requiring complex coastal defense techniques. 1953 Boskalis takes the trailer suction hopper dredger James 47 into service, making Boskalis the first in Europe to introduce this type of dredging. 1950s Boskalis and Westminster Dredging Company collaborate on projects all over the world, including Australia, Canada and the Middle East. 1948 Boskalis takes the first diesel electric bucket dredger into service. 1930s Boskalis grows steadily and expands in particular in the United Kingdom where it establishes Westminster Dredging Company in London in 1933. 1910 - 1930 1914-1930 After the First World War, Boskalis participates in the Zuider Zee project, a historic milestone in the Dutch struggle against the sea. 1910 Boskalis is established by a group of families in Sliedrecht, the birthplace of the Dutch dredging industry. From the outset the dredging company has a large fleet. Over 100 years Boskalis Verdiept Verleden A book about the history of Boskalis researched and written (in Dutch) by Utrecht University. Contact us to obtain a copy. 1 2 More about Boskalis Fleet and equipment Boskalis has an extensive and versatile fleet of around 900 vessels which can be deployed in the optimal configuration for each project. Projects Boskalis creates new horizons, executing an extensive range of dredging and marine projects in 90 countries and across six continents. Research and development Boskalis continuously invests in research and development. Fleet investments Boskalis will continue to invest in renewing and upgrading its vessels and equipment. Organizational structure An overview of Boskalis’ organizational structure including board of management, supervisory board, divisional structure and offices. Company profile All about Boskalis - an overview of the company’s background, global presence, our activities, clients, and experts, and our vision for the future. Share this Facebook Twitter Linkedin Google+ E-mail Print Back to top Quick links Vacancies Contact us Company profile Activities Share charts Download center Boskalis shop - merchandise NINA safety program Stay up to date Press and news releases Magazine: Creating New Horizons RSS Subscribe to updates Vimeo Youtube Linkedin Facebook Twitter Visit our other websites Dockwise Fairmount Marine VBMS SMIT Boskalis Australia Boskalis Dragamex Boskalis Environmental Boskalis Hirdes Boskalis Nederland Boskalis Rock Fall Boskalis Russia Boskalis Sweden Boskalis Terramare Boskalis Westminster Nigerian Westminster Dredging Irish Dredging Llanelli Sand Cofra Keppel Smit Towage KOTUG SMIT Towage Saam Smit Towage Smit Lamnalco BACK TO TOP 2017 © Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. 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