Visit the Holland Shipyards Group’s yard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam and you will see employees working on different types of project. Inside a workshop, plates of steel are being cut for the construction of a new hybrid ferry. Outside, multiple vessels are being converted. Marco Hoogendoorn walks around the yard that his father founded. “In this market, there is always room for improvement,” says Hoogendoorn. “As we say it, any challenge any time!”

Holland Shipyards Group is such a house hold name in the maritime industry that it is easy to forget that they are a relatively young shipyard. Founded in 1981, the company focuses on repair and conversions together with building new vessels. Rental of accommodations modules and chartering complete the portfolio. Holland Shipyards is a family-owned company and at the moment the second generation is taking a step forward. Marco Hoogendoorn, together with his brother Leendert are now responsible for the daily operations. Marco takes the commercial side, his brother focuses more on research and development. Their father, Cor Hoogendoorn, the founder of Holland Shipyards Group, has taken on a more strategic role.