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Interview with:
Francisco
Esteban
Lefler
Technical director of FCC’s Technical Services,
chair of ATPYC, the National Spanish Section of
the World Association of Waterborne Transport
Infrastructures (PIANC).
What is the edge that sets FCC apart
on maritime works?
Our distinguishing value is based on the
combination of technical knowledge of
maritime engineering itself together with
the necessary geotechnical and structural
engineering; availability of our own equip-
ment to implement the projects, designed
and developed closely by the company and
operated and managed by internal specia-
lists; as well as the training of highly specia-
lized construction teams. Other factors also
play an important role, as the critical analy-
sis of subsequent experiences, the search
for fields where the generation of knowled-
ge can enhance our competitive edge, as
well as focusing our innovative activities on
management and mitigation of the risks.
Also worth mentioning is the orientation to
client needs, placing us in optimal condi-
tions to achieve the goals of every project.
How has the sector evolved in recent
years?
The maritime construction sector has evol-
ved dramatically over the last few decades.
We have also made progress in terms of
knowledge of the dynamic interaction bet-
ween waves, structures and soils, in the
reliability of marine climate, in underwater
survey methods, and in construction equi-
pment. The development of logistical as-
pects driven by the need to drop costs and
manage just in time supplies, as well as the
opportunities that arise from Big Data, have
fostered the fast evolution of fleets, good-
handling equipment and challenging inter-
modal requirements.