Week of 25 May
1. Special delivery for Portonave (Brazil)
This striking photo shows Franki Foundations’ grab being loaded into the nose of a cargo plane, bound for Brazil. The 24.5‑tonne piece of equipment was flown in to save valuable time, allowing foundation works for the next phase to progress without delay. It comes at a key moment for the Portonave project: the first half of the new quay wall (around 450 metres) was delivered last year, and teams are now moving ahead with the second and final phase, scheduled for completion this summer. Good luck for the last leg, and thank you Franki Foundations!
BESIX is delivering the design and construction of this major upgrade at the Port of Navegantes, strengthening and deepening the quay to accommodate larger container vessels while keeping the terminal fully operational throughout the works.
2. Sunset over Ebel-Abanga (Gabon)
A striking sunset sets the scene for night works on the future Ebel‑Abanga bridge, where piles are being driven for pier P3 into the Abanga River. Working after dark, teams continue to make steady progress on this critical phase of the foundations. Well done teams!
The new 200‑metre, two‑lane bridge will replace an ageing crossing on a key route, improving safety and traffic flow along an important corridor linking Gabon with its neighbouring countries.
3. Kids at work in Antwerp (Belgium)
Last week, a group of primary school pupils from underprivileged neighbourhoods visited the ROCO site as part of the BESIX Foundation’s “Kiddy Build” initiative. They got a close look at what happens on a construction site, meeting our teams and discovering in simple, concrete terms how infrastructure takes shape, from earthworks to structures, while learning about safety and the different jobs involved. A heartfelt thank you to all colleagues from BESIX and its entities who took the time to share their passion!
These visits are part of the BESIX Foundation’s broader effort to make our industry more accessible, offering children who may not otherwise be exposed to it a tangible introduction to construction through real projects.
4. New tunnel installed under Namur–Arlon railway in 75-hour operation (Belgium)
Over the May Day weekend, our colleagues at Socogetra installed a new road tunnel beneath the Namur–Arlon railway line (L162) for Infrabel. The operation involved removing 60 metres of track and 220 tonnes of ballast, followed by the excavation of 2,500 m³ of soil, including rock beneath the line. A prefabricated concrete frame weighing around 1,000 tonnes was then pushed 26.5 metres into position using hydraulic jacks. The structure had been cast on site, perpendicular to the tracks.
Once in place, the tunnel was backfilled and the railway reinstated, allowing train traffic to resume. Seven excavators were deployed, and teams worked continuously for more than 75 hours. The new tunnel will carry road traffic. The existing 19th-century tunnel will be reinforced and repurposed as a passage for cyclists and pedestrians. Well done, teams!
And then this... Sing along with BESIX Middle East!
And finally, a lighter note: this video was created by colleague Nelson Telan (BESIX Middle East). His song “BESIX, Our Pride, Our Name” was written and (AI‑)performed with genuine enthusiasm. A simple and original way to bring a bit of energy and motivation to our teams: feel free to play it and sing along 😉