First of all, let me clarify what we mean by TFM. River and maritime works, commonly referred to as TFM for "travaux fluviaux et maritimes", span a wide range of structures including quays, breakwaters, piers, ports, offshore extensions, dams or barrages and even bridges. The boundaries between these can be tenuous, but ultimately what they all have in common is water. Ironically, TFM works are mostly carried out on land where it is easier to control manufacturing quality and equipment costs. Bouygues Travaux Publics has a long track record in this sector and, for several years, has focused on opportunities for major contracts, by tendering through joint ventures with its long-standing partner, Bouygues Offshore, which went on to become Saipem.

It was not until 2015 that Bouygues Travaux Publics decided to position TFM as a strategic business line alongside underground works and bridges. Because TFM gives us more scope for submitting alternatives in our proposals during the tender stage, we are in a position to make full use of our creativity by promoting our design capabilities. That is why it is important for us to grow so that we have a full spectrum of in-house skills. It is our capacity to provide comprehensive solutions to all sorts of issues such as materials management, eco-design, and structural studies - during both the design and works phases - that makes us a key player in river and maritime works today.

