Week of 10 August
1. One of the world’s most advanced biocontainment laboratories (Australia)
Another great achievement of our colleagues across the ocean. CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has awarded BESIX Watpac the design and construction contract for a new high-containment laboratory wing at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong, Victoria. The project combines a 1,400 m² ultra-secure extension with upgrades to the existing infrastructure. Once complete, the wing will house some of the world’s most advanced biocontainment laboratories, supporting critical research into infectious diseases and biosecurity.
The contract has been several years in the making and builds on experience gained across complex health and science facilities in Australia, including the recently completed CSL Seqirus project. Congratulations to everyone whose expertise and persistence helped secure this remarkable project.
2. Safety first, from head to toe in Gabon (Gabon)
A safe day starts before the work does. At the Ebel Abangasite in Gabon, our BESIX teams put Personal Protective Equipment firmly in the spotlight during a dedicated awareness session. The message was simple but essential: wearing the right Personal Protective Equipment, and wearing it properly, is one of the habits that helps everyone return home safely to their families at the end of each day. The session offered colleagues a timely reminder that compliance is not a box to tick. It is part of the everyday discipline that protects us all across the site. Thank you to everyone who organised the session, shared the message and continues to turn safety requirements into daily practice.
3. Major transformation for Antwerp's port infrastructure (Belgium)
Oosterweeleiland connects key freight and rail traffic to the Port of Antwerp. As a crucial hub for mobility and economic activity in the region, it is set to undergo a major transformation in the years ahead. To improve traffic flow and enhance safety, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges has awarded the contract for the new transport infrastructure to the temporary partnership TM Crusoë. BESIX Infra, BESIX Unitec, ARTES Rogiers, ARTES Depret, Aelterman and De Meyer will combine their expertise to replace the Wilmarsdonk and the Oosterweel Bridge, reconstruct roads and cycle paths, and deliver a new railway alignment.
For our teams at BESIX Infra and BESIX Unitec, the scope includes among others roadworks, electrical and signalling works. A key feature of this contract is its delivery through a Bouwteam model, placing collaboration between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and TM Crusoë at the heart of the project. The coming months will focus on the launch of Construction Phase A, the preparation of the signalling works and the further development of the design during the Bouwteam phase.
4. Contemporary bridges in a historic UNESCO landscape (The Netherlands)
Around 130,000 vehicles cross the River Lek here every day, making the Hagestein Bridge a vital link between the central and southern Netherlands. As part of the De Groene Waarden consortium, our BESIX teams will replace the ageing crossing with two new concrete bridges, built using the balanced cantilever method to keep river traffic flowing with minimal disruption.
What makes this project even more remarkable is its location, as the bridge sits within the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Dutch Water Defence Lines. To preserve the open character of the area, the new bridges have been designed with a slender profile that blends into the surrounding landscape. With the preparatory works now complete, construction of the first, western Hagestein Bridge is getting underway. Both bridges are expected to be completed in 2034.
