Boskalis predicts record year

Dutch dredging and maritime infrastructure firm Boskalis has announced that it expects to achieve a record profit in 2013, following strong first half results for the year.

Boskalis saw revenue rise to a record level of €1.6 billion for the first six months of the year, an increase of 12% over 2012 figures which put revenue at €1.4 billion. This increase has led to the Dutch firm forecasting an all-time high year-end net profit of €330 million.

Net profit for the half sat at €123 million, up from €102 million for first half of 2012 while the company’s order book showed €4.2 billion compared with €4.1 billion at the end of 2012.

Peter Berdowski, CEO, Boskalis, said: “We look back on a busy first half of the year in which we delivered a good operational performance but also took an important strategic step with the acquisition of Dockwise.

"This combination allows us strongly to expand our position in the offshore energy sector and offer new perspectives to both our clients and our staff. We have already made a good start with the integration of the two companies.

“Within the group we are also seeing how the various activities supplement and reinforce each other. Dredging combined with SMIT Salvage in India, offshore ordnance clearance in northern Germany using dredging and subsea services, and very recently SMIT Salvage with Dockwise in an initial dry-docking project involving the Vanguard.”

Boskalis became the largest shareholder in oil and gas service provider Dockwise in November 2012.