Boskalis is celebrating its centennial in 2010, and this was the main theme of the naming ceremony. With this in mind, and in order to underline the historical significance of the year, the centennial vessel has been named after the Founder of the House of Oranje Nassau, William of Orange (Willem van Oranje). 

Willem van Oranje was designed and is being built by IHC Merwede in close collaboration with Boskalis. A characteristic feature of the vessel·s design is the twin hopper concept. This concept makes it possible to optimise the load of the ship in relation to the draught, particularly in relatively shallow waters.