Boskalis CSR report 2017

CSR 2017 – BOSKALIS 33

“I FELT THAT THIS WAS AN ESSENTIAL PIECE OF THE PUZZLE FOR IMITATING THE COMPLEX AND RANDOM SHAPES OF CORAL REEFS”

PILOT PROJECT IN MONACO By chance, Kramer was presented the opportunity to carry out an artificial reef pilot project in Monaco. After a meeting with members of the Prince Albert II Foundation and the Monaco Association for Nature Protection (AMPN), Boskalis decided to support this pilot project in the Larvotto reserve. “Like many European coastal resorts, Monaco’s marine life is struggling with the impact of climate change, coastal development, tourism and seawater pollution, but they are one of the frontrunners in the area of marine management,” says pilot project manager Jamie Lescinski. FINDING THE RIGHT RECIPE Working with a number of colleagues from across Boskalis, Niels Scheffer of Boskalis R&D led the team in finding the right material composition for the reefs. “In consultation with material and 3D printing experts, as well as specialists from the universities of Delft and Eindhoven, we managed to develop a binder that is expected to cope with virtually all possible reef environment conditions,” Lescinski explains about the challenging process of finding the right recipe. “Next, we set up a collaboration with D-Shape to figure out how to print artificial reefs using their printing technology. Boskalis has experience in the deployment of artificial reefs (typically made using concrete or steel), habitat restoration, coral relocation and the application of the Building with Nature design approach. A huge 3D printer was installed in Papendrecht,” Kramer adds. PRECISION WORK – INSTALLING THE REEFS Each Monaco reef module takes 13 hours to print and is approximately 2 meters in diameter and 1 meter high, weighing 2.5 tons when dry. These are the largest 3D printed reefs modules to date produced for marine installation. Boskalis was closely involved in the design and production processes and was also

responsible for the transportation and installation of the reefs off the coast of Monaco in the fall of 2017. Lescinski explains: “Prior to installation, the location was inspected by experts to determine the installation coordinates. It was essential that the modules were placed with extreme precision, to enable the scientific measurements and monitoring to be conducted correctly.” “A dedicated team of scientists will monitor the ecological development of the reefs and compare it with other artificial and natural reefs in the reserve. We will be looking at the behavior of the fish and crustaceans. If the seven targeted, local species return and use the reefs, we really will be able to call the project a success.” “Of course, we hope that the results will match our expectations, so that we can apply this concept in other locations worldwide. Our approach won’t solve the global problem of coral degradation, but it at least provides Boskalis with expertise to contribute to the improvement of local marine life where possible: one reef at a time,” Kramer adds about the project’s potential positive impact.