The Dutch maritime technology sector has had a good year. Turnover increased by 17%, from € 6.4 billion in 2013 to € 7.5 billion in 2014. The sector employed 31,680 FTEs, up from 29,361 in 2013.
“Overall we see a nuanced picture, with ups and downs,” said Hans Voorneveld, chairman of trade association Netherlands Maritime Technology . “It is crucial to remain resourceful and to continue to innovate and export. The sudden mid-year fall in oil prices led to a decline in orders from the offshore oil & gas industry.
“Our sector supplies a wide range of markets, however, and this decline was offset by rises elsewhere, especially for offshore wind farm vessels, superyacht construction, patrol boats and other specialised boats.”
The total order book for seagoing vessels in Dutch yards has remained stable at a substantial level. The tonnage of seagoing vessels delivered in the Netherlands rose in 2014, ending a decline that started in 2007. Orders for seagoing vessels at Dutch yards decreased although there were notable orders in the form of a number of series-built short sea vessels.
The maritime supply industry in general had a good year, with a significant increase in sales of more than ten per cent. Many companies took on extra staff and some had to utilise their production capacity to the limit. The growth has mainly come from export and the activities of foreign subsidiaries.
The construction for inland shipping, fishing and small-scale seagoing trade below 100 GT remains a big industry in the Netherlands. In 2014, vessels worth more than € 600 million were delivered. Declining output of cargo vessels for inland shipping was offset by the completion of no fewer than 14 river cruise boats. In fisheries, 2014 was notably the year in which the construction of a revolutionary fishing vessel was commissioned.
Superyacht builders also had a good year. Although the completed vessels – 16 yachts with a combined value of € 649 million – were worth less than in 2013, the order intake – 22 yachts worth a total of over € 1.4 billion – stayed at the same level. The average size of ordered yachts continues to increase as yards prove that the Netherlands has the capacity to create yachts above 100 metres.
Image: Damen (Illustration)