Royal Huisman expands facilities by leasing former Holland Jachtbouw facility

Dutch yard Royal Huisman has added to its facilities, with the announcement that it has leased the former Holland Jachtbouw facility in the port of Amsterdam. The yard will now be operating in the Zandaam facility, which has been owned by the port of Amsterdam since 14 May 2019. The large, modern facilities are fully set up for yacht building and refit operations.

This new yard site will add to Royal Huisman’s already impressive facilities, and will be put to use for both new build and refit projects under the ‘Huisfit’ arm. “In extending our facilities in the Amsterdam region, we will be able to properly meet the growing demand among current and new customers,” says Jan Timmerman, CEO of Royal Huisman. “This second shipyard will, over a longer period of time, serve as an excellent addition to our existing site in Vollenhove, both for new builds and for refits.”

This move comes as the Port of Amsterdam looks to create a growing superyacht hub. Royal Huisman is not the first superyacht yard to join the Port of Amerstdam community with Feadship Royal van Lent opening new facilities there in 2016. Royal Huisman’s new presence will bring jobs, innovation and premium construction work to the Amsterdam region, as well as the prestigious support of such a highly-respected yard name.  “‘Our acquisition of the shipyard and the decision to lease it to Royal Huisman is a boost to the manufacturing industry, which adds significant value to our port,” says Koen Overtoom, CEO of Port of Amsterdam. “The arrival of Royal Huisman to the Amsterdam port region is one step further towards fulfilling our goal of becoming a superyacht hub. The Amsterdam area is highly sought-after by yacht manufacturers owing to its highly skilled workforce, international airport and the celebrated Dutch sense of enterprise.”

Several other parties have also indicated their support of the move, which will build on the Netherlands’ reputation as one of the leading luxury yacht manufacturers in the world. HISWA (Holland Yachting Group) has been working with the Port of Amsterdam to help grow superyacht presence in the Amsterdam area and has welcomed the news of Royal Huisman taking over the lease of the former Holland Jachtbouw yard. “‘We entered into a partnership with Port of Amsterdam in 2017 to put Amsterdam on the map as a superyacht destination among yacht owners and as a business location for superyacht manufacturers and suppliers,” says Jeroen Sirag, Export Director of HISWA. “This area has always been renowned for its craftsmanship and high-quality standards. We offer our customers the full package: construction, maintenance and refits. This will bring excellent employment opportunities to the area.”

Royal Huisman has a busy new build and refit order book, with new builds including 55-metre Project Phi and 81m Project 400.