Global maritime engineering expert Boskalis Protect the environment and build a net-zero world

Boskalis is a company from the Netherlands; the Netherlands is a country below sea level, and the Dutch have since learned how to coexist with nature. Boskalis has been very focused in construction in the natural marine environment and sustainability is seen as part and parcel of their operation. More and more projects have/will implement innovative "building-with-nature" construction methods to ensure environmental sustainability is carried out in projects.

Elvin Sng, the Country Manager of Boskalis

Interview by Xin-En Wu　Written by Mei-Hsu Shih, Xin-En Wu

　　Royal Boskalis (here referred to as Boskalis) is a world-renowned dredging and offshore marine expert with a century of experience in marine engineering. Since 1988, Boskalis has been rooted in Taiwan and has completed many projects, such as the Hualien Port Dockyard dredging project and several infrastructure projects in Changhua, Mailiao, and Taichung. In 2020, Boskalis and HC Offshore established Boskalis Hwachi Offshore Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (here referred to as Bowei), a Taiwanese maritime engineering contractor and service provider targeting the offshore wind industry. The primary business scopes of Boskalis include large-scale turnkey offshore wind projects, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, installation turnkey engineering (EPCI), transportation, seabed refurbishment, maritime surveying, and offshore wind farm decommissioning.

　　When net-zero and sustainability became a prominent trend in Taiwan, Boskalis, which has more than 100 years of experience in maritime engineering and owner of more than 700 working vessels, Elvin Sng, the country manager of Boskalis in Taiwan, shared Boskalis' experience of how a global corporation with high energy consumption can implement carbon reduction targets.

Ecological sustainability goes first Building artificial cora When net-zero and sustainability became a prominent trend in Taiwan, Boskalis, which has more than 100 years of experience in maritime engineering and owner of more than 700 working vessels, Elvin Sng, the country manager of Boskalis in Taiwan, shared Boskalis' experience of how a global corporation with high energy consumption can implement carbon reduction targets. l reef since 2016

　　Boskalis is a company from the Netherlands; The Netherlands is a country below sea level, and the Dutch have since learned how to coexist with nature. Boskalis has been very focused in construction in the natural marine environment and sustainability is seen as part and parcel of their operation. More and more projects have/will implement innovative "building-with-nature" construction methods to ensure environmental sustainability is carried out in projects, Sng pointed out.

　　For example, to build a beach, the usual practice of many countries is to dump the sand directly throughout the coast. Boskalis use a different approach by locating several spots for the sand accumulated according to the current movement. It is the natural method to let the sand move with the water flow, and overtime will be gradually formed into the dunes and sand slopes.

　　Boskalis has been active in installing artificial reefs since 2016. "We have several methods and approaches. The first time we put it into reality was in Monaco in 2016. We design an artificial coral reef project suitable for Monaco waters. We brought in stakeholders at all levels," said Sng. At that time, Boskalis actively collaborate with residents, fishermen, government agencies and ecological experts to participate in the design stage. In the meantime, to understand what kinds of fish can support the fishermen and educate local NGOs to understand the construction method of building artificial coral reefs. It is proven to be the right way to help the marine ecology in the region.

　　Sng pointed out, "We use the dredge byproduct as the materials for artificial coral reefs. In 2018, we also built an oyster reef in the North Sea. Then in 2020 and 2021, we also have a series of modular artificial reef plans in Panama and Kenya. The health of the sea affects the mechanism of ocean purification, and Boskalis pays great attention to this part."

　　Sng also emphasized the attitude of Boskalis in implementing the project, "The first is to assist the local community affected by the project; the second is environment protection. Therefore, we will think about how to make the society and environment better before executing our project." It is necessary to engage with stakeholders at the beginning of the project. "For example, when Boskalis and Bowei execute projects in Taiwan, they will first communicate with local fishermen and let them understand our plans, including how we work to balance the ecology. It allows us to put forward the best solution to local needs and reduce the difficulties encountered later in implementing the project."

How to achieve and implement carbon emission with 700 working vessels?

　　Boskalis learned about sustainability and coexistence with nature from the past. Sng emphasized that Europe understands the risk regarding climate change very well; therefore, they take sustainability very seriously and have been active for years in this aspect. Taiwanese companies recently began to use and purchase green electricity due to the energy policy, but the Dutch residents have been already buying renewable electricity for more than 10 years. Why are they willing to spend more on renewable energy? The reason is, " The Dutch care a lot about the environment."

　　It is also related to the outcome of the previous United Nations Climate Change Conference: COP26. Countries worldwide setting a high net-zero goal, even the financial institutions have also responded. If projects fail to fulfill their ESG requirements, it will become impossible for the project to seek financing. Sng also pointed out that company focus on environmental sustainability is also beneficial in attracting high-quality talents to join the company as people also becomes more environmentally conscious, he said,"Compared with the past, renewable energy has become relatively cheaper, Boskalis saw the trend years ago, so we gradually change our major business scope from oil and gas to renewables. Last year (2021) was our turning point. The revenue of renewables construction projects is higher than oil and gas."

　　To move towards the goal of net-zero and sustainability, some may wonder how vessels owning company as large as Boskalis will implement it. "Fossil fuels power our fleet. We converted the engine to use biofuels, such as Bokalift 2 (a heavy-lift vessel built for offshore wind in Taiwan) to meet the goal of carbon reduction. However, the challenge is that the price of biofuels are not sufficient and competitive. Boskalis is still doing research and encouraging some companies to provide a sustainable biofuel source. Boskalis has also installed electrical charging points for cars recently at our headquarters. Employees can use these charging points when they come to work."

　　Sng indicated that Boskalis has more than 700 vessels , which is enough to encourage the development of biofuel supply chain. "The biofuel that I'm referring to is made from recycled cooking oil. The interesting part is that Taiwan exports a lot of their recycled edible oil to Europe because Taiwan has no internal market for it, so the biofuel we use in Europe may actually be exported from Taiwan," Sng pointed out.

　　Sng pointed out that in 2021, Boskalis focused on four core elements, including "industry innovation in construction", "climate action", "life below water", and "clean energy".

The cost is much higher for modification than buying a new one, but they still choose to modify the vessel because the company values the concept of the circular economy. He also mentioned that many companies buy carbon credit to replace the actual carbon reduction, but instead, Boskalis is tendering on the carbon reduction action.

 

Life below water

Rescuing ships and protecting the ocean

　　On the other hand, Boskalis also uses its Marine Salvage company to maintain marine ecology by carrying out rescue activities offshore.

　　For example, there was a critical project last year. Evergreen's "Ever Given" cargo ship was stranded in the Suez Canal last year. Boskalis assisted in salvaging the ship and played a part in mitigating the international supply chain crisis.

　　Sng said that there had been many storms in Europe recently, causing ships to be stranded, one example is the Panamanian car carrier that caught fire in the Atlantic Ocean. More than 4,000 cars carried on the ship then, including Bentley and Porsche, all submerged together with the vessel. If marine fuel is leaked, it will result in an ecological crisis. "life below water" aims to help bring these wrecked ships back to shore safely, "saving stranded ships can also protect the marine environment, " Sng continues.

　　Boskalis is big on vessel recycling. Sng pointed out that Bokalift 1 was originally a transport vessel and later converted into a floating crane. Bokalift 2 was a drilling vessel for more than twenty years. Boskalis bought the vessel and gave the vessel a new purpose in heavy lifting.

 

 

　　Sng said that the cost is much higher for modification than buying a new one, but they still choose to modify the vessel because the company values the concept of the circular economy. He also mentioned that many companies buy carbon credit to replace the actual carbon reduction, but instead, Boskalis is tendering on the carbon reduction action.

　　President Tsai Ing-wen announced indicating Taiwan's determination to achieve net-zero in 2050 at the end of last year after the COP26 conference. The targets include increasing renewable energy capacities and aiming to strive Taiwan a green energy center in Asia. The status in Taiwan, green power construction such as offshore wind farms installation took the lead, but the net-zero policy and roadmap are still under discussion. After COP26, it is pushing the sustainable development for green energy forward worldwide, including Taiwan. Boskalis has a conviction to continue her efforts in sustainability while constructing offshore projects.