IHC opens fourth slipway

IHC Holland Merwede has decided to commission a fourth slipway in the Netherlands, namely the former van der Giessen-de Noord slipway in Krimpen aan den IJssel, claimed to be Europe?s largest covered shipbuilding slipway. This is in response to the increased demand for slipway capacity in the market sectors supplied by the company, i.e. dredging, offshore and other specialised shipbuilding. The group now has access to four covered shipbuilding slipways in the Netherlands, i.e. Kinderdijk, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Sliedrecht and Krimpen.

Following the start-up period, current newbuilding capacity of the Group will be increased by some 50%. The first newbuilding orders for the Krimpen slipway have already been received, consisting of two offshore vessels worth approximately ? 130 million. The American offshore operator Superior Offshore International LLC of Lafayette, Louisiana, has ordered a diving support/ ROV support/ offshore construction vessel and a second, not yet disclosed operator, has ordered a similar ship.

IHC Holland Merwede is leasing the slipway with outfitting quay from HBK Vastgoed B.V., the real estate company of Hollandia B.V. On this slipway, ships with a length of up to 240 metres and a beam of 38 metres can be built. The outfitting quay offers sufficient length for completing vessels launched from the slipway.

The core of the staff will consist of 300 experienced personnel from the existing organisation, supplemented by 300 in-sourced workers and subcontractors.

IHC Holland Merwede is the world market leader in the construction of specialist dredging equipment, with a market share in excess of 50%. The strategy is focused on strengthening this position in the dredging market through continuous product and process development while developing a second important market, i.e. the offshore market.