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| Jan De Nul Group opens ecological office building in Luxembourg  Jan De Nul Group celebrated 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.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. 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. 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). write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Construction News :: home page |