Van Aalst Marine & Offshore, a subsidiary of Van Aalst Group B.V., has won an impressive order. The company supplies cement loading and unloading systems to 18 ships of a customer in the Middle East. This order marks a significant milestone for Van Aalst Marine & Offshore, which specializes in the engineering and production of these systems.
Large assignment in niche market “We currently have a customer from the Middle East with 18 ships,” says Jeroen van Lakerveld, Managing Director of Van Aalst Marine & Offshore. “This is a huge assignment for us, because normally it involves one or two ships. The project involves both engineering and production and the systems will be assembled at yards in Asia, mainly in China and the Middle East.”
Critical systems for drilling processes The loading and unloading systems that Van Aalst Marine & Offshore supplies are crucial for the drilling process of platform supply vessels (PSVs). “If these systems do not work, the drilling process cannot continue,” Jeroen van Lakerveld explains. “Powders from the cement are necessary for the drilling operations and our systems ensure that these powders are loaded and unloaded efficiently and reliably. “And,” he adds, “we take care of the commissioning: putting the system into operation.”
High quality and innovation Van Aalst Marine & Offshore distinguishes itself through high quality and innovation. “We distinguish ourselves with very high quality in terms of engineering, after-sales and technology,” says Jeroen van Lakerveld. “We strive to work more efficiently with the same fuel consumption. This means a higher unloading speed and greater pumping power.”
Innovation is therefore a core value of Van Aalst Marine & Offshore. It looks at the bigger picture when it comes to efficiency improvements and not just at their own systems. “We try to get the most out of it,” Jeroen van Lakerveld emphasizes, “and therefore use an integrated approach in which we constantly contact the customer.”
The future of the market The market in which Van Aalst Marine & Offshore operates is niche and a diversification of our renewable energy solutions. Green energy is becoming increasingly popular, while the demand for oil and gas fluctuates. There are only four to five competitors worldwide who do the same as Van Aalst Marine & Offshore. “Competition is decreasing, which is ultimately not good. You don’t want a monopoly,” says Jeroen van Lakerveld. “Nevertheless, I have a positive view of the future in this sector due to the unique position and the quality of what we offer.”
Teambuilding To celebrate this significant milestone, the team at Van Aalst Marine & Offshore organized a dinner, with Wijnand van Aalst, CEO of the Van Aalst Group B.V., also in attendance. The event was held in a charming local eatery, where team members could enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation after months of intense planning and execution. The gathering not only underscored the successful completion of the deal but also strengthened the team spirit and dedication to future projects. During the evening, experiences were shared, successes were celebrated, and plans for the future were discussed over delicious dishes.
