Franz Fayot visited an active Jan De Nul Group vessel and provided an update on the Luxembourg maritime register
A leader in the maritime dredging industry, Jan De Nul Group is also an expert in other fields of activity such as the production of energy at sea, complex infrastructure and civil engineering works or the treatment of all forms of pollution. The group began its activity in Luxembourg with its Dredging and Maritime Management SA (DMM) branch in 1995. Of the group’s 82 vessels, 63 currently sail under the Luxembourg flag. Worldwide, Jan De Nul Group employs 6,267 people in 47 countries. 600 people are employed by the group in Luxembourg, including 500 sailors and 100 employees at the head office in Capellen.
The vessel visited, the “Sanderus”, which is 111.7 meters in length, is currently carrying out maintenance dredging work in the port of Antwerp. Dredging makes it possible to discover, deepen or widen congested waterways to facilitate the passage of large ships. This is one of the latest generation dredgers from Jan De Nul Group, with ultra-low emissions, also called “Ultra Lowémission ship” (ULEv), the fourth of genre in the fleet of group. The old dredges with internal combustion engines that did not emit emissions were a significant pollution, affecting both the climate and the air quality. The ULEv filter system treats exhaust gases and prevents the emission of nanoparticles. With its ULEvs, Jan De Nul Group contributes to improving air quality, reducing pollution and ensuring a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Accompanied by the ship’s captain, the Minister was able to observe the ship in operation and speak with the crew members.
During the visit, the Minister returned to the importance of the maritime sector in the Luxembourg economy. From the end of the 1980s, in order to support the diversification of economic activities, the Luxembourg government decided to create a maritime register. In the space of 31 years, Luxembourg has managed to forge an excellent reputation in the sector, whether in terms of the quality of registered vessels or favorable social conditions for seafarers, and it has the largest maritime register of all landlocked countries.
Luxembourg is located in a niche market in the maritime sector and is home to both small carriers, dredgers, tugs and supply vessels. Thus, the fleet under the Luxembourg flag has grown from 54 vessels (1993) to 216 vessels (2020).
During the visit, Franz Fayot said: “With his new ULEv vessels, Jan De Nul is acting as a true pioneer and I congratulate them on it. We are proud that these vessels are flying the Luxembourg flag, because Jan De Nul is a role model for green shipping. Promoting maritime transport that respects the environment and low emissions is also at the heart of the missions of the Commission for Maritime Affairs. “
Robert Biwer added: “If the maritime sector remains a niche activity in Luxembourg, I think I can say that the project has proven itself over the past 30 years. Our aim is not to break records in terms of numbers. of vessels or tonnage under register, but rather to promote economic development and the diversification of the Luxembourg economy with real activities in Luxembourg, all through a quality register with quality vessels! “
Finally, David Lutty, director of Jan De Nul Group, added: “We have been cooperating with the Luxembourg pavilion for many years now. It is undoubtedly a very fruitful and satisfying collaboration, because the Luxembourg government, like the registry, have a very pragmatic attitude. This is what we highly appreciate, as we operate complex vessels in our fleet. “
Communicated by the Ministry of the Economy