Double D and Van Wijngaarden
In 1974 Wim van Wijngaarden founded Van Wijngaarden Marine Services and his company works worldwide. He has worked closely with Double D since 2007 when he ordered a boat at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld on which a Heila crane was installed. Wim explains this long and profitable relationship between these two Dutch companies.
Van Wijngaarden Marine Services was founded as a sole proprietorship with the aim of chartering auxiliary material for dredging and marine construction projects. Started with the activities in the Netherlands, the company expanded in 1975 to charter equipment abroad. Over the past 40 years the company has developed into an independent provider of maritime services. The company now owns a fleet of 15 workboats for deep sea, coastal and inland waters, such as win and screw tugs, workboats, tow and push launches, survey boats, crew tenders and multipurposed crane pontoons. The vessels and crew of Van Wijngaarden Marine Services are at work all around the world, mainly on projects in the transport, maritime services, dredging & marine construction and offshore energy sectors.
Expert overhauling of marine cranes is a key part of the business. Wim Van Wijngaarden said: “Our workboats are not all fitted with Heila cranes. We offer our customers a choice of crane types. However we recently ordered a 65 tonne Heila crane for the Amerstroom. Our heaviest crane is a 280 tonne Heila crane that is installed on a multipurpose vessel. We do business with Double D, not just because they are the authorised dealer for Heila cranes in north-western Europe, but because of their level of their service and expertise. The service-related aspects of their business, such as overhaul, maintenance and supply of spare parts all operate smoothly. A particular advantage of Double D is that they anticipate our needs and ensure that the continuity of our business is not jeopardised. For example they always provide a replacement crane when one of our cranes is being overhauled, and that does not just apply to Heila cranes. Sormec and Effer cranes are installed on our workboats and these cranes are also maintained and serviced by Double D. The replacement crane means that the turnaround time of the overhaul is not so important. Double D understands that time out of service means loss of profit. They have skilled and experienced technicians who ensure that our cranes are as good as new after installation.”
By Jake Frith
