Alewijnse joins Buccaneer Delft innovation network

Alewijnse said the partnership will bring its expertise in electrical installations, power distribution and generation, propulsion, automation and safety systems into a network of companies, start-ups and knowledge institutions working on energy-transition technologies. The company employs more than 1,000 people and works across offshore, dredging, naval and industrial projects.

Buccaneer Delft describes itself as a platform connecting established industry with start-ups and innovators to accelerate the development and deployment of technology. Its current community includes companies such as Amphibious Energy, Blue21, eFuelution, FLASC, Flying Fish, HES, Next Ocean, Reefy, SoluForce and zepp.solutions.

Among its industry partners is Ørsted, which joined the network in 2023. The offshore wind developer said it was seeking contact with start-ups and other industry partners working on challenges including offshore wind development, energy storage, power-to-X, circularity and biodiversity.

Test case

The network has also been involved in projects involving established companies and public bodies.

One example is the Rotterdam Reef, a pilot project involving Buccaneer start-up Reefy, Boskalis, Rijkswaterstaat and the Municipality of Rotterdam. The project uses specially designed concrete blocks to combine coastal engineering with underwater habitat creation.

“The future of the maritime and energy sectors will be defined by how effectively and fast we tackle increasingly complex and interconnected challenges together,” said Alewijnse chief executive Gert Bravenboer, adding that combining Alewijnse’s systems-integration expertise with other partners could help accelerate the development of scalable solutions.

Kirsten Ruiter, managing director of Buccaneer Delft, said partnerships were essential because energy-transition innovation required collaboration across the value chain.

The partnership gives Alewijnse access to the hub’s network of innovators and industry partners, while bringing its experience in electrical and automation systems into projects addressing decarbonisation and efficiency in maritime and offshore applications.