Shipbuilding’s best-kept secret revealed

Nevesbu was founded in 1935 by four large Dutch shipyards and the Machinefabriek Werkspoor. The mission was clear: to design submarines and naval vessels. Today, Nevesbu has become an international knowledge partner in two markets: Naval Vessels (submarines and frigates) and Offshore Energy. With its 117 employees, the company works on high-profile projects worldwide. It has been under the leadership of Managing Director Bart van Rijssen for the past four years. Commercial Director Albert Jurgens has been working at Nevesbu since 2007. Do they ever find their work monotonous? “Little chance of that,” says Albert, “there is so much to enjoy here.”

Marine engineering and offshore energy

Nevesbu now does much more than design submarines and naval vessels. Albert: “We are no longer the engineering company that only produces drawings – we have become a major player in marine engineering and offshore energy.” After almost 90 years, the company has the wind in its sails in both sectors. But that has not always been the case. “In recent decades, we have mainly found our work abroad”, says Bart. “We were forced to broaden our horizons when the Dutch defence market became smaller.”

That turned out to be a golden move. Bart: “We built strong relationships with foreign navies and offshore companies. Like in Malaysia, where we carried out a special project to upkeep and modernise submarines.” It is no coincidence that Bart specifically mentions this project – it is one of his favourites. “We competed against large, international parties in that tender”, he says. “But the client chose us because we have proven knowledge of submarine construction. The fact that a relatively small country like the Netherlands is seen as an expert in this makes me proud.” Albert nods in agreement: “They also see us that way in Spain and Southeast Asia and other countries.”

Hired by navies all over the world

Nevesbu is a relatively unknown company in the Netherlands. Albert: “We have always been better at doing our work than talking about it. And that has never been a problem – clients and stakeholders have always known where to find us. More to the point, we are also often unable to share information about our work due to security reasons.”

However, Nevesbu is increasingly choosing to make its work more public. More than a year ago, this necessity became painfully clear when the Minister of Defence said in the media that the Netherlands has little to offer in the field of submarines. “What a bizarre statement”, says Bart. “We are hired by navies all over the world. We have built up a wealth of knowledge over the past 90 years. Our clients abroad were also surprised by this statement. But it did get us thinking. Since then, we have made a conscious effort to increase our presence in the media.”

Remarkably diverse

Nevesbu also wants to profile itself more clearly towards students. “If we’re at Delft University of Technology and we ask who’s heard of Nevesbu,” says Albert, “there should definitely be a show of hands.” Nevesbu is a young and dynamic company that is working on large-scale projects. “Our team is close-knit and loyal. Many employees stay with us for years, some even after retirement – to transfer their knowledge and remain involved in the work. New colleagues are always paired with experienced staff to ensure everyone is fully involved in a project, and knowledge transfer is a matter of course. The team is also remarkably diverse. We work with people from many different countries and all kinds of backgrounds. We deliberately look beyond the Netherlands because there are professionals with the right qualifications all over Europe – and that broadens our perspective on projects.”

Friendship and trust

Bart, with his passion for marine engineering, spent many years on a submarine himself. “So, I know how important it is for such a vessel to be well designed”, he says. “That every button and switch is where you expect it to be, that everything works intuitively. It’s not just about technical perfection but also user experience. Can you do your job well on board? For a resounding ‘yes’ to that question, we have to work closely with the client.” Albert also emphasises the importance of collaboration: “The relationship with our clients can almost be referred to as friendship. Of course, everything is neatly laid down in contracts, but ultimately, it’s all about trust. Clients have to dare to entrust their work to us. We earn this trust through delivery, thinking along the same lines as them, and that we’re always close at hand. Not only during the drawing phase but also once the product has been implemented.”

The Tesla of the submarine world

One of Nevesbu’s latest innovations is the e-Moray, a fully electric submarine. With a big smile, Bart says, “We have been working on the Moray model for years, but we’ve now developed the concept into a 100% electric version. No more diesel generators – which makes the vessel simpler, cheaper, easier to maintain and quieter. The Tesla of the submarine world.” Albert adds: “It used to be a hybrid system – batteries for underwater, diesel engines for on the surface. But batteries have become so good that recharging them at sea is no longer necessary, making the submarine more effective and sustainable. It is a logical next step for which we hope to receive a subsidy.”

Since the 1990s, Nevesbu has also been continually active in the offshore energy sector. For example, the company has worked on floating production, storage and transhipment installations – vessels or converted oil tankers used to extract oil and gas at sea. Nevesbu has also designed (floating) transformer platforms that convert wind energy at sea into electricity for use on land. “The energy transition is a huge opportunity for us to do much more in this area”, says Albert. “We still often work on the design of offshore wind farms, which are anchored to the seabed. But soon, these farms will have to move to deeper waters because shallow seas such as the North Sea are becoming full. And worldwide, the focus is increasingly shifting to sustainable energy, offering plenty of new opportunities for our professional field. Examples include floating offshore wind platforms, greening the shipping industry and much more.”

No energy security without security at sea

All signs indicate Nevesbu will not suffer from boredom over the coming years. “I don’t think so either”, laughs Bart. “There is so much to do. For example, we are also fully engaged in the theme of security at sea. Because without security, there is no energy security. Like critical gas pipelines and other infrastructure, wind farms at sea must be protected. Which in turn requires good naval vessels and submarines. And if we build more floating wind farms and other offshore structures, they must be easily accessible for emergency towing vessels, for example. There is plenty of work to be done and much more to consider.”

In the coming years, the directors will continue upon this chosen course. Sharing and safeguarding knowledge is high on the agenda. Take the Orka programme: the purchase of new submarines from abroad. “Soon, those vessels will be moored at the quay in Den Helder,” says Albert, “but the knowledge to maintain and deploy them isn’t just there. And unfortunately, it’s not a matter of reading a few books, and you’re up to speed. Dutch companies such as Nevesbu – and certainly other parties – must be involved in this. We will work hard to retain this knowledge for the next 90 years.”