Growing World Trade

The strong correlation between GDP and world trade shows that trade has historically grown at nearly double the rate of Real GDP. Increases in GDP accelerate trade growth as countries increase their production by becoming more specialized. As this rate of specialization increases, there is more international trade as a result.

Containerized cargo – although the most closely linked to shifts in consumer demand – has until recently also shown strong growth.

The long term trend of all of these factors fuel sustained demand for marine infrastructure including dredging. If port operators are seeking to expand capacity within a natural harbor, entrance channels and berths need to be deepened and quay walls extended. If they are building on greenfield sites in close proximity to the open sea, then large amounts of land reclamation will almost certainly be required. And both scenarios call for expertise in marine infrastructure and terminal services, which Boskalis also offers by being an integrated services provider.