Luxembourg: Jan De Nul Group Opens New Ecological Office Building

On Wednesday, 16 February 2011, Jan De Nul Group celebrates the official inauguration of its new office building in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. After the impressive fleet expansion between 2007 and today, the opening of this highly ecological office building fits perfectly with the climate for investments at Jan De Nul Group. Together with staff members, Luxembourg press and Luxembourg partners, we raise the glass to a successful future cooperation.

The office has been built by Jan De Nul Group in cooperation with the firm of architects Tetra Architectes Paul Kayser & Associés and consultants Simon et Christiansen and Goblet Lavandier & Associés. The total investment amounts to 25 million euro.

The building includes 5,470 m² office space, 4,815 m² parking place and 2,258 m² archives and technical area. It is foreseen that a dredging simulator will be installed to train future workforce.

This state-of-the-art and ecological building clearly proves Jan De Nul Group’s green way of thinking. The energy consumption is lowered through optimal application of a double façade which enables to keep warmth outside in summer and recuperate it in winter; through best use of natural light through reflexion and bright interior colours; through motion and luminosity detectors for artificial lighting; and through an optimized ventilation system in the offices.

Why did a Belgian company settle in Luxembourg?

In the early 90s, the Belgian Government gave the Belgian Merchant Shipping industry the possibility to put the merchant shipping fleet under Luxembourg flag, because of the high labour costs in Belgium. The Belgian dredging fleet was also included. For that reason, Jan De Nul registered its vessels in Luxembourg.

Afterwards, the Belgian Government realized that the entire national fleet threatened to leave to Luxembourg and therefore adopted the Tonnage Tax, forcing the merchant shipping fleet to come back under Belgian legislation by offering them tax advantages. However, the tonnage tax did not include the dredging fleet. Jan De Nul stayed in Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, Jan De Nul Group is entirely settled in the Grand Duchy. The company experienced the advantages of doing business in Luxembourg, which offers international companies tailor made solutions within a fully legitimate frame. Luxembourg is a very bankable place with thoroughgoing financial capacities thanks to the large offer of bankers. On the other hand, there is a fluent cooperation with Luxembourg Authorities where decisions are rapidly taken and vessels registrations are done promptly and efficiently.

Large fleet sailing under Luxembourg flag

The dredging fleet of Jan De Nul Group is the world’s most modern and most diverse fleet, this being the result of a resolute investment policy in its own equipment. The new vessels and the advanced technology on board are designed by the ‘in-house’ department of design and engineering. Jan De Nul Group also provides the dredging equipment to the shipyard, which is unequalled in the dredging sector.

The group recently kicked off a new investment programme 2010-2013 by ordering two new 14,000 m³ trailing suction hopper dredgers and 1 new fallpipe and mining vessel, a sister vessel of the ‘Simon Stevin’. These investments follow up the successful investment programme 2007-2011 that consisted of more than 25 vessels, with a total value of about 2 billion Euro.

Jan De Nul Group currently has 58 vessels working the seven seas and because the company thinks on a large scale, 16 more new vessels are presently under construction. 39 vessels are already sailing under Luxembourg flag, 16 more are soon to follow (of which 14 once delivered).

The fleet includes a number of the most powerful self-propelled cutter suction dredgers and largest trailing suction hopper dredgers in the world. Jan De Nul Group is among other things the proud owner of the ‘JFJ De Nul’, the world’s most powerful cutter suction dredger, and ‘Cristóbal Colón’, the largest trailing suction hopper dredger with a hopper capacity of 46,000 m³ which is able to dredge at the deepest of depths (155 m).

Current orderbook of 3.1 billion Euros

Over the last couple of months, a total of more than 1 billion Euros projects have been added to the order book. These awards bring the total value of current commitments for Jan De Nul Group to 3.1 billion Euros.

New work was secured in all corners of the world, from South America and the Caribbean (11 projects) over Africa (1 project) and Europe (2 projects) to Southeast Asia and Australia (7 projects).

The projects are varied in nature: from deepening existing ports to developing greenfield sites; from major clients operating in the oil & gas industry to exporters of minerals, from state-owned port corporations to new private ventures.

Jan De Nul continues to recruit

Because of a well-filled order book and the fact that three new vessels have been ordered, it goes without saying that Jan De Nul Group will continue its 2010 recruitment boom in 2011.

In 2010 Jan De Nul recruited no less than 380 people, among them the company’s 500th engineer. At the end of 2010, 5416 people were working for Jan De Nul overall, with an average age of 38 years.

2011 shall be a year in which Jan De Nul Group will keep looking for young and dynamic talent to man all sites and vessels nationally and internationally.

https://jobs.jandenul.com

About Jan De Nul Group

Since the establishment of the company, Jan De Nul has aimed at a dynamic and family corporate culture. Jan De Nul was founded by father Jan Frans Jozef De Nul as a civil construction company. Responding to the market opportunities at that time, the De Nul family accepted its first dredging work in 1951. Soon after that, the first international dredging project was won. Since then Jan De Nul has grown into a world leader in the dredging industry.

Besides maritime projects, Jan De Nul Group also sets the tone in civil construction. The company focuses on complex multidisciplinary projects in hydraulic engineering, water treatment, as well as on buildings, such as the national airport terminal in Belgium. Also in transport infrastructure, Jan De Nul Group has become well known.

Since 1996 Envisan is part of Jan De Nul Group. As an environmental subsidiary, Envisan specialises in the treatment, remediation and processing of sediments, soil, groundwater and specific waste. Whether it’s in environmental dredging works, sediment treatment or the redevelopment of contaminated brownfields, Envisan always distinguishes itself by a strong project-oriented approach, the dedication of motivated staff and partnerships that makes the difference.

Jan De Nul Group would never have attained that position if it had not had the necessary courage and vision. Courage of the founder, but also of the next generation, which provides the group with an impeccable reputation across the five continents today.

In 2009 Jan De Nul Group reached a turnover of 2.1 billion euros (69% dredging activities, 18% offshore projects, 11% civil works and 2% environmental projects).

[mappress]

Source: jandenul, March 3, 2011