Europe Engineers News from the Network - September 2025

SALFO wins major award in delivering Athens International Airport's landmark expansion

Athens, Greece  //  Program Management

SALFO & Associates is proud to be part of the consortium, with Hill International and AECOM, selected to support the ambitious Airport Expansion Program (AEP) at Athens International Airport (AIA). The transformative infrastructure initiative is set to significantly boost the airport's capacity and operational efficiency.

As one of Europe's fastest-growing hubs, AIA is preparing to accommodate up to 40 million passengers annually (40 MAP). The expansion program, aligned with the airport's approved Master Plan, includes over 180,000 sq.m. of new construction and major upgrades to both airside and landside facilities.

Key components

• Extension and renovation of the Main Terminal Building (MTB) and Satellite Terminal Building (STB)

• Multi-storey car park with more than 3,300 spaces

• New aircraft apron featuring 32 additional stands

• Upgraded check-in, baggage handling, and passenger processing facilities

• Critical infrastructure enhancements in both Schengen and non-Schengen areas

SALFO's role in the PMO

As a core member of the Program Management Office (PMO), SALFO will provide a comprehensive suite of strategic and technical services, ranging from design review and BIM management to procurement support, cost and programme planning and control, construction supervision, stakeholder coordination, and quality assurance and environmental compliance.

The PMO will also act as AIA's official representative throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring quality, safety, and timely delivery at every stage.

Sealand Projects: setec expands their maritime engineering services

France & Scotland  //  Offshore Wind

As a new addition to setec's Marine Engineering ecosystem, Scottish company Sealand Projects joined the group in April. Already involved in offshore wind power through the subsidiary setec offshore wind, founded in 2024, setec is confirming the strength of its commitment to this sector.

Sealand Projects, founded in 2007, employs around 50 people. The company supports maritime firms in transport and installation operations and supervises offshore activities.

The acquisition is seen as an opportunity for mutual growth, with both companies benefiting from shared skills and complementary teams. Sealand Projects' expertise in offshore installation engineering is particularly valuable for the construction and installation of large floating wind farms in France and Scotland. Their services include marine engineering, equipment engineering for towing, lifting, and cable laying, and advising on ship layout and stability.

The setec marine ecosystem

setec Offshore Wind specialises in port engineering and marine structures, while setec Energie Environnement is a leader in environmental risk assessment and impact studies. Terrasol, setec's geotechnical engineering company, provides recommendations on wind turbine foundations.

Sealand Projects strengthens setec's credibility in the maritime sector thanks to its in-depth knowledge of the transport and installation chain.

Decarbonisation and the Transition 2025 agenda

Sealand Projects is also involved in decarbonisation activities, in line with setec's corporate project, Transition 2025. It has developed software to model greenhouse gas emissions from port activities and is currently working on a wave energy production demonstrator. setec's FloatPort project addresses the technical and logistical challenges associated with the construction and commissioning of large offshore wind turbines.

The offshore wind market is growing rapidly, with significant developments in Scotland and France. setec and Sealand Projects are well positioned to contribute to this industry, despite geopolitical uncertainties. The first commercial floating wind farm in France, awarded in June 2024, will be located in southern Brittany and will showcase the combined engineering capabilities of Sealand Projects and setec.

Initial discussions in Aberdeen with the teams at Sealand Projects revealed engineers who were curious and enthusiastic about joining a group such as setec, and their legendary tradition of hospitality was alive and well.

New Campus for Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam

By Michel Schamp, Aronsohn  //  Rotterdam, Netherlands

On June 19, the contracts were signed, officially kicking off the development of the new Erasmus Medical Center campus in our home town Rotterdam. The design will be led by Team aan de Schie, a collaboration between Vakwerk Architects and cepezed. Aronsohn will be responsible for the structural design up to the handover of the building.

This is a large-scale new construction project covering 106,000 m² gross floor area. The new development will be a single building, composed of several sections that will accommodate various users, including the Sophia Children's Hospital, Psychiatry, Next Generation Research (NGR), Animal Research Facility and shared areas such as facility and logistics spaces.

We're proud to continue our long-standing relationship with the Erasmus Medical Center, an internationally leading academic hospital.

Back in 2017, Aronsohn was the lead structural engineer for the Tranche 1 project: an impressive development that included low-rise buildings and a 120-metre high tower with 31 floors, covering a total gross floor area of 175,000 m².

We are thrilled to once again be part of Erasmus MC's future development. Together with our fellow designers, consultants, and client, we're looking forward to creating a state-of-the-art and inspiring hospital and research building.

Crossing Borders, Building Futures: Europengineers GAM 2025 in Florence

Hosted by HYDEA  //  Florence, Italy

Last May, Florence was the setting for innovation and international collaboration as HYDEA hosted the Europengineers General Assembly Meeting at its headquarters. The annual event brought together the CEOs and top managers of Europengineers companies from across Europe, united by a shared mission: fostering cross-border dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and forward-thinking strategies in engineering and consultancy.

Over an extensive meeting, leaders engaged in high-level discussions centered on future consultancy trends. Topics ranged from business forecasts and cutting-edge innovations to the evolving economic landscape in member countries, and emerging partnership opportunities.

Among the standout collaborations spotlighted were HYDEA's ongoing work with Salfo in Saudi Arabia and setec's partnership with Schüßler-Plan on major rail infrastructure in Germany, hands-on examples of Europengineers' ethos in action. One of the key topics was the ongoing war in Ukraine, which served as a starting point to explore how Europengineers could contribute to solving complex challenges while identifying new development opportunities.

Florence on foot

Participants visited a selection of HYDEA's completed and ongoing projects in Florence, including several of the company's landmark works: the restoration of the former Barnabite college Alla Querce, now transformed into a luxury hotel; the Bellavista Pavilion, currently under construction at the Medicean Fortress; and the recently restored Rampe del Poggi, a striking urban passageway connecting the city to Piazzale Michelangelo, the city's famous belvedere.

Capping off the event was a taste of Tuscany itself: sightseeing and a visit to a traditional winery offered the perfect setting to strengthen ties. Because at Europengineers, collaboration is built not just in meeting rooms, but through shared vision, shared goals, and shared experiences.

Upcoming gatherings

• ExGAM 2025   //   24 November 2025

• GAM 2026   //   7 May 2026, Athens

• GAM 2027   //   20 May 2027, Rotterdam

Milestone for E-Mobility: Rheinbahn opens new E-Bus Port in Duesseldorf-Heerdt

Düsseldorf, Germany  //  Sustainable Public Transport

With the opening of the new e-bus depot in Duesseldorf-Heerdt on September 8, 2025, Duesseldorf's Rheinbahn is setting a strong example for the future of climate-friendly public transport. Covering approximately 5,500 m², the facility serves as a state-of-the-art charging and operating hub specifically designed for battery-electric buses. Schüßler-Plan was responsible for all service phases: general planning (phases 1 to 7) and construction management (phases 8 to 9).

Charging infrastructure

The depot accommodates up to 60 electric buses, which are charged overnight using bottom-up phantom chargers and roof-mounted charging hoods, powered by a 200-amp supply. Additionally, three 400-amp fast-charging stations enable rapid charging when needed. Power is supplied via three 2,000 kVA transformers connected to a rooftop busbar system.

Building structure

The buses are parked on a heavy-duty paved surface within two large open garages, constructed with reinforced concrete columns and topped with extensive greenery roofs. A central hall structure separates the two garage areas. This two-part hall, compliant with the Federal Water Resources Act (WHG), includes a 22.5-metre-long maintenance and cleaning pit in one section and an automatic gantry car wash in the other.

Sustainability numbers

4,000 m² Photovoltaic system area

195 MWh Annual generation

78 tons Annual CO₂ reduction

One of the key challenges the planning team faced was integrating the complex building services engineering into the overall project design. By combining state-of-the-art energy technology, robust construction, an extensively greened roof area, and sustainable power generation, the new e-bus port meets the latest standards for a sustainable, climate-neutral public transport infrastructure.

Oliver Krischer (Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia), Annette Grabbe (CEO of Rheinbahn), Oliver Wittke (Spokesman for the Board of the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association) and Dr Stephan Keller (Mayor of the State Capital Duesseldorf) started the charging process at the new e-bus port at the Rheinbahn depot in Heerdt.

Ecological optimization of structures

May 2025  //  Life Cycle Assessment in structural design

Once a month, a member company of Europengineers presents a current topic or project from the field of civil engineering in an online lunch lecture. This is followed by an opportunity to ask questions. The aim is to promote dialogue and better understand how companies in the same sector in other countries are dealing with the pressing challenges of our time.

In May 2025, Basler & Hofmann gave an insight into life cycle assessment in structural design. In their presentation, René Zemp, Head of Structural Engineering, and Miriam Kleinhenz, Structural Engineer, used various project examples to demonstrate what life cycle analysis (LCA) can achieve in structural design.

Basler & Hofmann has developed its own tool for the life cycle assessment of load-bearing structures. The tool can be used to analyse entire buildings, individual components and technical systems. An interview with René Zemp has been published on the Basler & Hofmann website under the title More than just statics: what does a life cycle analysis do for structural design?

Europengineers | ROD Lunchtime Seminar

Roughan & O'Donovan  //  Two-part seminar

Presentation 1: Artificial Intelligence in the Road Sector, a Global Review

Presenter: Dr Robert Corbally, Principal Engineer

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in the road sector, offering substantial opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. This presentation focuses on the findings of a recent study carried out by ROD's Research and Innovation Group and funded under PIARC's Special Projects programme. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of AI's current and future role in road infrastructure planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance.

Presentation 2: Embodied Carbon in Retaining Wall Systems, Calculation and Comparison

Presenter: Niall Hanratty, Graduate Engineer

Decarbonisation is the greatest hurdle in the public infrastructure sector at present. A major obstacle to reducing embodied carbon lies in the limited availability of data during the early design stages, which is precisely when the greatest potential for impact exists.

This presentation examines the calculation of the embodied carbon of various retaining wall systems and provides insight into minimising embodied carbon through design. It aims to provide a cost-carbon comparison of retaining wall systems with a view to informing carbon-conscious design in public infrastructure projects.

Parametric Design applied to Buildings

Liège, Belgium  //  12 to 14 June 2025

bureau greisch had the pleasure of hosting the annual Europengineers Design Sprint in Liège from 12 to 14 June, 2025. The theme of the design sprint was Parametric Design applied to Buildings.

A unifying and ambitious theme

The theme was initially proposed at a GAM meeting, which took place at Aronsohn's offices in Rotterdam in November 2024, and immediately sparked the interest of bureau greisch. As the newest member of the network, the firm volunteered to organise the event, drawing on its expertise and internal resources in parametric design.

A dedicated team laid the groundwork: defining the scope, carrying out preliminary tests in Grasshopper and Rhinoceros, and setting up a realistic working scenario for participants (soil tests, concrete core, reference surfaces). The goal was clear: to provide a stimulating framework dedicated to the concept and assisted by parametric software, but without turning the exercise into a purely computational task.

Three intense days of collective reflection

The sprint began with brainstorming sessions, with the attendees organised into three balanced teams. Each team developed its own approach, fully aligned with the sprint methodology, and adhered to a strict schedule and shared milestones.

In the afternoon, an initial joint session led to the creation of a large flowchart. The three groups then worked separately on different sections of the flowchart, developing the code and its full content, including elements such as calculation formulas. Throughout the process, experts from bureau greisch provided continuous guidance, ensuring that efforts remained focused and no energy was wasted on dead ends.

The second day was dedicated to merging the three code sections into a single comprehensive program. A synthesis table was used to evaluate the different scenarios, with one key indicator: cost per square metre. This stage underscored the importance of combining manual preliminary sizing with digital development in order to generate robust and comparable solutions.

Exploring greisch's projects

Before the sprint itself, participants took part in a day of site visits to significant greisch projects, including:

• The construction of a new school showcasing prefabricated concrete techniques commonly used in Belgium

• The renovation of the Montefiore Institute, a case study of combining heritage with contemporary architecture

• Liège-Guillemins railway station, an engineering masterpiece featuring impressive and slender steel arches moved and installed on site

These visits enriched the technical discussions while strengthening group cohesion. They were complemented by convivial moments including a foray into Liège's vibrant nightlife.

Testimonials

"My highlight was seeing how strangers from different countries can become a team within a few days, working together on a complex problem, with a lot of fun."

— Lea Bressan, Project Manager Structural Engineering, Basler & Hofmann

"Organising such an event takes time and requires many people. It was very important to structure the work and provide milestones to participants to avoid going off into unproductive directions. This way of working reflects the philosophy of our office: working as a team and drawing on everyone's expertise allows us to go further."

— Sébastien Seret, Administrator, bureau greisch

A tribute to Harry Meighan, former chair of Europengineers

Europengineers was saddened to learn of the passing of Harry Meighan, former chairman of Europengineers (2019 to 2024) and chairman of Roughan & O'Donovan Consulting Engineers (ROD), on 6 June 2025.

Harry was introduced to Europengineers by a network member with whom he had a personal connection, and in 2011, ROD became our member from Ireland. ROD quickly established itself as an enthusiastic supporter of our aims and objectives, sharing our commitment to excellence and our dedication to the delivery of high-quality infrastructure solutions.

When the role of network chairman passed from Pierre Lescaut to Harry in 2019, Harry built upon his predecessor's work, creating avenues for best practice knowledge sharing among our member firms, nurturing collaboration between our members and exploring the opportunities that developments in the consulting industry presented. Harry also reviewed the structure of the network's activities, identifying areas in need of refinement; established our Articles of Association; and drove the development of our trainee programme with the aim of broadening professional and personal development opportunities for our younger engineers in particular.

Harry and his wife Catherine hosted a memorable GAM event in Dublin in May 2024, highlighting the importance of the biannual CEO meetings in strengthening the bonds between our member companies, the evidence of which can be seen in the growing number of project collaborations between member firms. The event coincided with the Europengineers 60th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of ROD's foundation, providing a welcome opportunity for a double celebration.

In a special commemorative book to mark ROD's anniversary, Harry extolled the benefits of Europengineers membership, writing:

"I always found the CEO meetings and discussions insightful in terms of industry trends and instructive in terms of how different companies manage the same challenges, including the Covid-19 response."

— Harry Meighan

Harry will be sorely missed by his many friends in Europengineers, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and his colleagues in ROD on their loss.

Technical Lunch Meetings 2025

DATE	HOST
20 October	Roughan & O'Donovan
3 November	SALFO
1 December	Schüßler-Plan