With the Royal designation and a new name, Royal T Shipyards, shipbuilder Thecla Bodewes celebrated the 100-year anniversary on Friday 20 June at its yard in Kampen. The company began as early as 1812 in Martenshoek, Groningen, as Scheepswerven Gebroeders G. En H. Bodewes. Exactly a century ago, both family businesses decided to go their own way and the grandfather (5th generation) of Thecla Bodewes (7th generation) settled in Hasselt, in the province of Overijssel.
Today, Thecla Bodewes’ company comprises four shipyards, in addition to its headquarters in Kampen these are based in Harlingen, Meppel and Stroobos.
On behalf of His Royal Highness the King, the King’s Commissioner in Overijssel, Andries Heidema, awarded the Royal designation. According to Heidema, this honour bestows the highest recognition a company in the Netherlands can receive upon a family business that has been a driving force in Dutch shipbuilding for generations.
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Royal T Shipyards
As a crowning moment of this special recognition, CEO Thecla Bodewes unveiled the company’s new name: Thecla Bodewes Shipyards will henceforth be known as Royal T Shipyards.
‘The “T” in our new name connects our past with the future and stands for much more than just Thecla,’ said Bodewes. ‘It represents Team – the people who carry this company. Tomorrow – our drive to move forward. Together – because collaboration is our strength. And Trust and Tradition – the foundation of our craftsmanship. Royal T Shipyards is more than just a name. It is our promise to the future. We achieved this together – with generations of colleagues, suppliers, and clients. Being granted the Royal title now feels like the ultimate recognition for everyone who has contributed to the growth and success of our company.’
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A shipyard of national significance
Heidema emphasised the exemplary role of the company within the maritime sector: ‘Royal T Shipyards is a beacon of stability, vision and craftsmanship within the Dutch manufacturing industry. It is a company with both local and international impact. It connects our rich Hanseatic history with modern maritime developments and is thus a crucial link for the maritime industry in our region.’
‘This shipyard has been an anchor in our community for decades,’ added Mayor Sander de Rouwe of Kampen. ‘Not only as an employer, but also as a trainer, innovator and proud representative of our region. The awarding of the Royal designation and the new name Royal T Shipyards are more than deserved – they are a crowning achievement for the work of Thecla Bodewes and her team.’
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From Martenshoek to the world
What began in 1812 as Scheepswerven Gebroeders G. & H. Bodewes in Martenshoek grew into a leading family-owned shipbuilding company by the nineteenth century. Exactly a century ago, the two branches of the family decided to go their separate ways — one remained in Martenshoek, while the other established itself in Hasselt, marking the beginning of what is now Thecla Bodewes’ company. Today, Royal T Shipyards operates from four locations: Kampen, Harlingen, Meppel, and Stroobos. The Hasselt yard, which closed in 2018, has since made way for a water park with holiday homes.
Royal T Shipyards is internationally recognised for high-quality, innovative shipbuilding, offering smart solutions for constructing more sustainable vessels with minimal emissions, ultimately designed for zero-emission propulsion. The yard delivers tailor-made ships for inland shipping, short sea, push and tow operations, and the dredging sector. Together with its predecessors, Royal T Shipyards has now delivered more than 200 new built vessels.
Picture: Thecla Bodewes (on the right) receiving the Royal designation (photo Peter Lodder).
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