IHC Merwede - the technology innovator

• Corporate Profile
• Mission, Vision & Ambition
• Units
• Financial Data
• News
• Jobs

• Locations in the Netherlands
• Locations worldwide
• History

Both IHC Holland and Merwede Shipyard have a track record in the history of shipbuilding that leads back in the past for more than 100 years. Employees of both enterprises can look on a long tradition of craftsmanship and professional pride. In the course of the economic development after World War II both companies really started flourishing. The company history, starting also simultaneously with those of the modern Netherlands in fact, is a history of typical Dutch business instinct and entrepreneurship. However, as the history of shipbuilding is one of falling and rising, both companies existentially know what misfortune is – and both managed surviving, by specialisation and by diversification. In general can be said: IHC Holland tended to concentration, on the dredging market to be sure. Merwede Shipyard tended to diversification and serves the dredging market as well as the offshore-, cruise and ferry-, naval- and special markets. Both can be characterised as producers of custom-built vessels and professional system integrators.

As from 1992 the two enterprises, both with a distinct position in their own markets, came under the same holding: IHC Caland. In 2005, they jointly continued business under the name IHC Holland Merwede. Nowadays, starting from companies with such strong identities, it is sensible to continue as one enterprise with one common focus and one ‘navigational route’. Well, they decided to do so, and the newly-born became the name IHC Merwede.

Moving in a world in which the requirement for sustainability becomes louder and louder and more serious every day, topics as safety, economic stability, stock of commodities and logistics grow essential. In this world IHC Merwede finds its long-term right to exist as a vital link in the chain of energy and logistics, by realising projects that serve sustainability of our world.

Course and mission of IHC Merwede: dredging and offshore
Having in mind some strong points of both constitutors of IHC Merwede, there are two markets which are appropriate to serve almost naturally. Merwede Shipyards’ experience in offshore is neatly accomplished by dredging-shipbuilder IHC Holland’s cluster of companies, known under the name Foundation & Support, who took a particular position within the enterprise. On the one hand these companies had their own market range that was strongly linked with the offshore market already; on the other hand they generated an important contribution to the results. Conclusions are obvious: the newly-born shall operate within the dredging and offshore markets. IHC Merwede has an outstanding point of departure to excel on both. The company has available lots of knowledge, experience, expertise and acquaintance with the Dredging & Mining and Offshore & Marine markets. The expertise on technology and services ensures mutual inspiration.