Page 63: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2024)

EDR ANTWERP SHIPYARD

Europe's Gas Carrier Repair Hub

EDR Antwerp Shipyard has undergone a complete rebrand, but the transformation is far more than skin deep. Philippe Trouillard, Commercial

Manager, discusses with Maritime Matters: The Marinelink Podcast, not only the transformation of the yard and its facilities, but also too that challenges of successfully competing with much cheaper repair yards in the Far East; and insights on an exciting new electrostatically applied paint in the drydock which has shown the potential minimize overspray and save 40% in paint applied.

By Greg Trauthwein

Phillippe, to start us off, please give a brief professional contribution to the maritime industry?

biography with insights on your position and responsibili- The roots of the company were started in the early 90’ with ties at the shipyard. Engine Deck Repair NV. This company was born to under-

The maritime life has always been in my blood. This indus- take and serve technical interventions and repairs on board of try is so demanding that you have to be made for it. I started ships in the Port of Antwerp. Gradually the company portfo- at the Nautical Academy – Deck in 2004, graduated as Master lio of clients and activities expanded and resulted that EDR in 2008 and achieved highest distinction in 2009 in Maritime was active as subcontractor for steel repairs in the drydock

Management and Transport Management. Initially the plan of the Port of Antwerp, at that time being managed by Ant- was to go sailing, but I opted for a career ashore. Gradually werp Shiprepair. EDR became subsequent partner in a new

I evolved towards the Marine Insurance and Finance. After consortium Antwerp Drydocks after ASR went belly up. In 10 years, I decided that I needed to return back to my roots – 2014 we took over the entire consortium and started manag- ships, and what is closer than working for a shipyard. At EDR ing the entire shipyard facilities in Antwerp. At that time it

Antwerp Shipyard I have a primary role as Commercial Man- was already obvious that the site where we were operating ager and Marketing Manager. I’m also handling legal, con- was signi? cantly neglected by our predecessors and our man- tracts and insurance along with GDPR. A signi? cant portfolio agement decided to undertake one of the largest (maybe even of activities, but having knowledge in and of every sector is the largest) shipyard renovations in Europe. In 2020 our core convenient and time-saving. activity was more focused on drydocking, so we rebranded the company to EDR Antwerp Shipyard, which to date is still the

Can you give us a ‘by the numbers’ overview of the com- commercial name of Engine Deck Repair nv.

pany that give size and scale to your operation?

We are the largest shipyard in Benelux area and one of the What, speci? cally, are the ‘crown jewels’ of the shipyard, largest ship repair and conversion yards in North European by equipment or expertise, what differentiates EDR Ant- continent. We dock approximately 60 vessels every year in werp Shipyard from other ship repair yards?

four different drydocks, and repair around 150 vessels at our If we would look to “hardware” and facilities, you cannot 2,500-m long repair berths in the Port of Antwerp Bruges. ignore the amount of work and funds invested in our premises.

With our team of 700, we also undertake approximately 1500 Our entire shipyard infrastructure is renewed or currently be- technical interventions in the Port of Antwerp Bruges and ing renewed with aim to be completed end 2025. This includes ports in the vicinity thereof. a new 21,000-sq.-m. maritime logistical center; 18,000-sq.-m. of renovated and new workshops; renovation of our drydocks,

I know that EDR Antwerp Shipyard is celebrating its 10th reactivation of rail-mounted cranes and renovation of existing anniversary next year, but its roots go back to the 1990s. 100-ton cranes. One of the icons in the Port of Antwerp is cer-

Can you give an overview of the facilities history and its tainly our new of? ce facilities as well. All was designed and www.marinelink.com 63

MR #8 (50-65).indd 63 8/8/2024 4:13:22 PM