International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC) has just published its Dredging in Figures, an annual review of the global dredging market.
The document focusses on the global dredging and maritime construction industry in 2013. The IADC aims to be thorough and precise in the figures presented in this document. The statistics provided here are based on information from international sources as well as from the IADC member companies.
This information indicates a growth of the worldwide turnover in dredging of nearly 3%.
MARITIME SOLUTIONS FOR A CHANGING WORLD
Following a relatively long period of economic downturn, 2013 showed small signs of recovery, whether measured by the growth of consumer trust, investments by companies and world trade or lower unemployment rates. However, even during the downturn, the worldwide dredging turnover showed an increase of 13% between 2008 (€10,3 bin) and 2013 (€11,68 bin).
The dredging turnover in 2013 shows an increase of 2.7% compared to 2012.
Last year the IADC started to provide information on so-called Corporate Social Responsibility elements. These will be elaborated in the first part of this document; the second and third parts will deal, respectively, with the drivers of the industry and the turnover of the industry.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
CSR activities aim to assume responsibility for the company’s actions and encourage positive activities toward the environment, consumers, employees, communities and stakeholders in general. The CSR efforts of the major dredging companies include programs for sustainability, including contributions to communities in areas where dredging works are taking place as well as fuel emissions reductions, in-house safety programs and extended education for employees.
SUSTAINABILITY
In line with other modern industries, all the major dredging contractors have developed programs which reflect their commitment to sustainable development as well as their concern with the areas in the world where their work is executed.
Examples of this commitment are tests with biofuels, the use of biodegradable lubricants, emissions reduction and controlled and monitored ship dismantling.
Many companies have structural CSR programs, in which contributions are made to local populations, ranging from ensuring clean drinking water and providing housing for local employees in emerging nations to respecting the opinions of stakeholders whose environmental concerns must be treated as a priority.
As part of these CSR policies, some companies publish separate annual CSR reports. These actions have mitigated resistance to projects and provided sound solutions that meet both the social and economic needs of a particular community.
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