Global reach for Dutch dredging components

IHC Merwede started producing heavy industrial components in Guangzhou in 2004, initially with 10 employees. The workforce now consists of 140 employees and it will expand to 200 employees in 2009. The facility will be able to handle 2,000 tons of steel a year.

The official opening on 3 November was performed by Mr. Mark Harbers, the vice-mayor of the city of Rotterdam with direct responsibility for economic affairs and the Rotterdam port authority, together with Mr. Govert Hamers, the president of IHC Merwede.

The presence of Mr. Harbers illustrates the close cooperation between Rotterdam and harbours in China and also reflects the importance of cooperation between the maritime industry both in China and in the Netherlands.

With its long coastline, numerous ports and extensive inland waterways, China will be a dredging market well into the distant future. The long term goal of China is to become as self supporting as possible. IHC Merwede has made major investments in improvements to dredging expertise in the shape of high grade equipment, training and lifecycle support. In the decade to come, high levels of activity are expected in connection with the existing dredging fleet and the creation of customised equipment for the major coastal extension plans defined in the 11th Five Year Plan.

IHC Merwede has a market share of approximately 35% in China and 50% worldwide, with which it can play a key role in the modernisation of the Chinese and global dredging fleets. For IHC Merwede, it is clear that, with rapidly emerging markets like China, it is no longer possible to serve the market exclusively from the Netherlands. Globalisation is the key, in conjunction with the company’s regional organisations in Singapore, Dubai, India and Nigeria, and others in the future. IHC Merwede is following its clients everywhere in the world to assist with the maintenance and operational support of their increasingly valuable dredgers.

The new premises are located on a site measuring 35,000m² and located alongside deep and free access to the open sea. The site can also be used for renovation projects on existing dredgers. In recent months, a factory was opened for heavy industrial construction. Large overhead cranes (250 tons and 500 tons) are available for transport and loading. The new location will be used for the production of heavy industrial components like cutter ladders and spud carriers for the popular stationary cutter dredgers in the standard IHC 7025MP and IHC 8527MP series.

These vessels were designed exclusively for the Chinese market and more than 27 of them have been sold. The new facility is almost fully booked to the end of 2010, but IHC Merwede still wants to expand further to keep pace with the continuing expansion of the workload for IHC Merwede as a whole. IHC Merwede will also be establishing a Machine Shop in the same location. Machines are on order and this machine shop will be in operation in 2009.

IHC Merwede is developing a new standard range of Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) specifically for the Chinese market. The specialised components in these dredgers will be produced in the new location as well. Govert Hamers commented, ‘Over the past few years our company has grown enormously and the turnover of IHC Merwede will exceed EUR 1bn in 2008. We focus on two segments of the market; dredging and offshore. The explosive growth means we need to expand throughout the world. The new facility in China opens up new perspectives. All kinds of components for the dredging and the offshore markets will be produced here for both exports and the Chinese market.’