Huisman, mostly known for its cranes, hopes to be involved in the construction of the new Dutch submarines that are to replace the Walrus class. The company says its facilities and fabrication/assembly workshop are already equipped for the required work.
Huisman says its knowledge and experience in working with high strength steel, as used in cranes and pipelay-towers, including production accuracy in steel constructions up to thirty metres of diameter can also be of use in submarine production.
With this portfolio-extension, Huisman aims to carry out detailed engineering and production of elements and parts of submarines such as the pressure hull and assemblies and skids inside including marine engineering systems. All of this is under the guidance of experienced submarine OEM partners, with whom talks are said to be in various stages of progress.
Dutch Content
By opening up its capabilities and facilities for the various partners, Huisman seeks to contribute to the future Dutch content for this project (including direct and indirect employment). Several maritime companies and organisations have been urging the government to make sure a large part of the work for the submarines is carried out in the Netherlands in ordere to secure and expand existing knowledge in addition to employment.
Right now, two groups of companies want to build the Dutch submarines. On the one hand this is the French Naval Group, who does plan to involve Dutch partners such as Royal IHC. The other contender is a cooperation between Damen Shipyards and Saab from Sweden.
