The Netherlands – Plenty of orders

According to Dutch government figures, the industry was worth a record G2.2 billion ($1.18 billion) and held on to its 2.2 per cent share of the world market. Shipbuilding in The Netherlands has recovered following a difficult period for the industry throughout Europe, and the country now ranks as one of the world`s top ten shipbuilding nations in the Lloyd`s “leading countries” list. In order to stay competitive against fierce competition from the Far East, Dutch shipbuilders have concentrated increasingly on building specialised ships such as tugs, fishing vessels, dredgers, gas tankers, high-speed vessels and refrigerated ships. And in order to increase productivity and improve quality most shipyards in The Netherlands now have covered production facilities.

The Dutch industry still covers almost all segments of the market except the building of very large vessels, an area now dominated by the Far East. This strategy is paying off, according to the Netherlands Shipbuilding Industry Association (VNSI), which represents over 90 companies in the shipbuilding sector. The Association says that the newbuild order books of almost all Dutch shipyards provide them with enough work to last them till the end of 1999. During 1997 the VNSI called for the continuation of government aid. The Ministry of Economic Affairs made G50 million ($26.9m) available for this purpose under the General Shipbuilding Aid scheme, bringing the average aid percentage per contract to 2.3 per cent. But this compares poorly with most of the country`s European competitors, where the maximum permissible aid of nine per cent is normal, says the VNSI.