Following their early successes in South America, the DEME founders set their sights on a new and far more complex frontier: the Russian Empire. At the turn of the 20th century, Russia was undergoing rapid industrialization, driven by an urgent desire to modernize its infrastructure and strengthen its position on the world stage.

Yet one challenge stood out: despite its access to five seas, Russia lacked enough ice-free ports to guarantee year-round trade. It was precisely this challenge that caught the attention of the founders.

After negotiations in several European capitals, the partners secured a series of important port projects. These included the Port of Taganrog on the Sea of Azov, the construction of the Peter the Great Harbor in Reval (today’s Tallinn), and the development of Poutiloff, a major military harbor. These projects marked a clear step forward - an entry into Eastern Europe and a sign of growing international ambition.

Working in Russia also revealed a broader reality. Building ports and improving waterways was not only about enabling trade - it also supported a country’s strategic strength. As Europe moved closer to the First World War, it became clear that large infrastructure projects were closely linked to a changing political landscape.