Chicago Bridge & Iron 10-K 2013 FY Annual report

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-64442) pertaining to the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-156004) pertaining to the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(3) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-87081) pertaining to the 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(4) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-39975) pertaining to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (1997) of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(5) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-24443) pertaining to the Management Defined Contribution Stock Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(6) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-24445) pertaining to the Long-Term Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(7) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-33199) pertaining to the Savings Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(8) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-159182) pertaining to the 2009 Amendment to the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(9) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-159183) pertaining to the 2009 Amendment to the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(10) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-182223) pertaining to the Common Stock, Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities and Warrants of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(11) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-186996) pertaining to The Shaw Group Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, The Shaw Group Inc. The Shaw Group Inc. 2001 Employee Incentive Compensation Plan, The Shaw Group Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan, The Shaw Group Inc. 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

of our reports dated February 27, 2014, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, N.V., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. for the year ended December 31, 2013.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas

February 27, 2014