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ment. In 2010 the segment was responsi- ble for approximately 20,000 persons infull time employment (2009: 21,000 per- sons) and realized a turnover of circa $6.6 billion (2009: $7.26 billion).The Marine Equipment sector in theNetherlands covers a wide variety of companies of varying sizes and com- plexities providing a large range of prod- ucts. As an example we list a few selected companies and their products.Dyneemamanufacturers of what is claimed to be the worlds strongest fibre is widely used in a variety of marine ap- plications. In high strength wear resistantfishing nets and ropes, lightweight yet strong SkySails for merchant ships to substitute wind power and reduce fuel consumption. In the offshore industry Dyneema is used extensively in mooring systems, for towing and lifting operations where its attributes of stronger than steel, elastic and floats coupled with mainte-nance free finds a wide range of uses in the harsh conditions that are common-place in the offshore industry. Royal Imtechis not just active in the marine sector, its commercial interests are widespread and global in nature. Inthe marine sector, the company was se- lected to install the electrical control andcharging systems of PlanerSolar, the worlds first solar circumnavigator. It is a major player as a systems integrator in megayachts, naval vessels (logistic sup- port ships, frigates, corvettes, patrol ves- sels and submarines), special ships(dredgers, crane ships and tramp steam-ers), the offshore industry onboard off- shore support vessels, FPSOs, offshore platforms, cargo vessels (container ships, bulk carriers and other cargo ships), pas- senger cruise ships and inland waterways vessels. Hatenboer-Waters B.V. is a specialistwater treatment company providing a wide range of systems for land, air andsea applications including the offshore industry to both domestic and export markets. G J Wortelboer B.V. is specialized inthe anchor, chain and mooring business. Supplying both new ship, offshore and aftermarket requirements, the company boasts a wide range of large anchors of different types and mooring chain in stock at its Rotterdam headquarters.Ned Deck Marine B.V. is a major sup-plier on the international market for sur- vival systems and deck equipment. The company is based in the Netherlands and has production facilities in Romania and Vietnam. Cranes and davits of different size and weights are produced for the off- shore and merchant ship markets world- wide. In addition they produce a range of spe- cialist workboats and fast rescue boats to- gether with their own design of boat handling systems for commercial andnaval applications. The maritime industry in the Nether- lands has been one of the strongest in Eu-rope for many centuries and continues to be healthy despite the recent setbacks in the world economy. There are many chal- lenges ahead for the industry but with the usual pragmatic Dutch solutions to prob-lems the outlook continues to look opti- mistic.Ned-Deck Marines hydraulic pivoting Fast Rescue Boat davits is delivered as a complete unit for onboard installation and is available as a Work Boat Davit Sys- tem or Fast Rescue Boat Davit System. It is manufactured in accordance with the latest IMO/SOLAS and European requirements on Marine Equipment (MED). Image credit: Ned-Deck Marine BV. April 2012www.marinelink.com 39