Boskalis_Annual Report_2017

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 – BOSKALIS 47

projects in the Netherlands with a CO 2 reduction potential of 30% or more. Early 2018, a 30% biofuel blend was used by our trailing suction hopper dredger Causeway, during operations at the Hartel Tank Terminal project in the Port of Rotterdam. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Boskalis continues to innovate and look for more effcient and more sustainable equipment and working methods. Innovation is an important way for us to continue to set ourselves apart. In 2017, we worked on numerous innovations and submitted or prepared a large number of patent applications. Innovations relate to all activities of Boskalis’ divisions. A noteworthy example is the 3D printing of artifcial reefs, which have been installed in the Larvotto Marine Reserve in Monaco to promote the development of benthic habitat and provide shelter for marine life. Other examples relate to the installation of structures for offshore wind energy, decommissioning of obsolete offshore structures and technology development for detection and clearance of unexploded ordnance on the seabed. For the third year in a row, Boskalis participated in the so-called Port Innovation Accelerator (PortXL), in partnership with the Port of Rotterdam Authority, various internationally operating companies and the Erasmus University Centre for Entrepreneurship. Supporting innovation in this way, enables us to get in touch with young, innovative and dynamic companies and to support, streamline and bring to market breakthrough technologies. Conversely, we learn from start-ups as to how to identify and support innovative ideas, within our own organization. In 2017, a breakthrough technology developed within the PortXL accelerator was successfully tested on the trailing suction hopper dredgers Strandway and Barent Zanen. This concerned a digital application

called Medassist.online. The application provides support for medical care on board when there is no doctor nearby. Medassist. online will be made available on 50 Boskalis vessels in 2018.

ICT In line with the Boskalis strategic objective of operational excellence, much effort was given this past year in optimizing processes throughout the organization. Optimized systems enable improved productivity, lower costs and minimizes risks. As part of the optimization strategy, it was decided to outsource specifc non-strategic IT-related activities. The outsourcing will be implemented in the course of 2018. As an integral part of the Boskalis Way of Working a new IT platform was launched in 2017. The platform has been designed to provide maximum project transparency. A special fnancial control framework was built that integrates fully with the Way of Working. It enables tender managers to check potential fnancial risks and enable them to take timely action to mitigate these. Work continued on the rolling out of the new Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) at the Boskalis head offce in Papendrecht, in part of the Salvage organization and part of the international Dredging division. The ERP system has improved the integration of our processes in the area of fnance, logistics and project management. It has also optimized our planning and procurement methods and provides an immediate overview of the administrative and fnancial processing of all our internal resources. In addition, planning and operational deployment of operational staff in the Netherlands have been signifcantly improved thanks to the ERP system.

Diving Support Vessel Constructor executing subsea installation works with divers at a platform in the North Sea.