Scheepswerf & Machinefabriek Barkmeijer Stroobos B.V. Shipbuilding

For more than 165 years, the expansive premises of Barkmeijer in Stroobos have been a hub for constructing ships. This longstanding tradition has positioned Barkmeijer as a significant entity in shipbuilding.

Typically, inland vessels feature a draft of around 3 meters, while ships constructed in the northern Netherlands for maritime use generally possess drafts ranging from 5 to 8 meters. On the other hand, large ocean-going vessels have drafts exceeding 10 meters. The draft of a vessel not only determines but also restricts its operational areas; ships with too great a draft are at risk of grounding. Barkmeijer Shipyards sees an opportunity in crafting vessels with minimal drafts. These are not primarily aimed at cargo transportation but are deemed ideal for operations such as maintenance, research, and passenger transport, where a shallower draft significantly enhances versatility and allows for operations closer to shore.

Barkmeijer foresees a substantial energy transition within the maritime sector over the next decade. The decline of (fossil) diesel usage is imminent and beyond debate. The main uncertainty lies in identifying the future's alternative energy solution. Given the maritime sector’s hesitancy to commit to the next generation of energy carriers, over 90% of new ships continue to be equipped with traditional propulsion systems and diesel engines. Since ships are designed for a service life of roughly 30 years, the transition to greener fleet operations is markedly slower compared to sectors such as automotive. Barkmeijer intends to address this challenge with its innovative ship design concept.

Under the VIA project, Barkmeijer Shipyards, based in Stroobos, is pioneering a new type of vessel that not only boasts an exceptionally shallow draft of 1 meter but also measures approximately 37 meters in length and 10 meters in width. This groundbreaking design is preemptively equipped for a midlife conversion to a sustainable, fossil-free fuel, marking a significant stride towards a greener maritime future.