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The planned expansion of the shipyard is in line with the Port Authority’s policy of offering its clients a complete and relevant programme of ship repair facilities. In addition, the Port Authority aims to encourage students attending technical education programmes at RDM Campus to opt for a career in the maritime sector.
Grey fleet
In the years that DHR operated its previous ship hoist – from 2016 on – the company’s shipyard facility was in strong demand. The ship hoist proved particularly popular with the owners of what is often referred to as the ‘grey fleet’: tugboats, patrol boats, pilot tenders and small pontoons. In many cases, these vessels need to be dry-docked at short notice and for a relatively brief period, for inspection, servicing or maintenance. Tugboats specifically were often in need of this option. Up till then it had been more or less absent in Rotterdam – meaning they had to go to Antwerp or Hamburg instead.
After an incident in April 2018 that put the ship hoist out of service, the Port Authority and De Haas jointly decided to further develop DHR’s one-stop shop concept, including an expansion of its RDM site. With the installation of the Travelift 820, DHR will also be switching to a more efficient method for dry-docking and transporting vessels. The expansion of its shipyard facilities at RDM will enable the company to work on multiple vessels in drydock at the same time, as well as service ships from the water thanks to newly constructed berths along pontoons in the Heysehaven basin.
