PADMOS SHIPYARD
ANGLING FOR SUCCESS
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PADMOS SHIPYARD
I PROFILE
When it comes to shipbuilding, Padmos Shipyard is renowned for its innovative designs and out-of-the-box thinking. Since the development of its award-winning MDV-1, the company has maintained an increasing focus on the sustainability of its builds. Director Walter van Harberden explained more, in an exclusive interview with Inside Marine. Report by Imogen Ward.
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ith a focus on the fishing
W
the company has continued to grow
industry, the company
ever since.
has produced a number of
“We have just completed our latest
awe-inspiring builds over the years,
acquisition, adding Diamond Diesels
including the MDV-1 Immanuel.
UK to our roster,” said Mr van Harberden.
“The MDV-1 completely changed the
“This has afforded us a stronger pres-
direction of our fishing vessel designs,”
ence with our Mitsubishi service team
said Director Walter van Harberden. “We
within the UK market.”
have incorporated sustainability more
Diamond Diesels joins a number of
heavily into our R&D, to really ensure we
Padmos locations, including two in the
incorporate leading industry advance-
Netherlands and one in Ireland. The latter
ments that have a positive impact on
was added to the mix in 2007 and carries
the lives of our customers and on the
out diesel engine repairs and new deliveries
surrounding environment.”
to Irish and English fishing vessels. Padmos
Padmos Shipyard has been operating
has a good relationship with several local
within the fishing industry for almost
shipyards in England, like Parkol and
a century. Initially established with a focus
MacDuff, and can serve them in a better
on engine and winch repair, the company
way with the new UK-based operation.
evolved and expanded as it passed
“We also have a small office in France
from one generation to the next. With its
which aids in the service and repair of
first production hall constructed in 1964,
French vessels,” Mr van Harberden
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PADMOS SHIPYARD
I PROFILE
explained. “We are particularly adept at
of newbuilds in the same style: seven
service jobs such as changing propeller
went to France, eight to the Netherlands
shafts and working on engines. That is
and several others were dispatched to
another element that we are renowned
the UK and Belgium.”
for within Europe.”
The MDV-1 was designed to produce minimal resistance and features diesel-
Winning Ship of the Year
electric propulsion. Adding to the circular
After adding newbuild services to its offering
economy of the vessel, steel was chosen
in the ‘60s, Padmos became a pivotal part
during the build process for its ease of
of the Dutch fishing industry. Since then, the
end-of-life recycling. When recalling the
company has had significant influence with
launch of this vessel, Mr van Harberden
its creative designs, including the MDV-1
noted fondly that it had been labelled by
Immanuel which won the award for Ship
the media as the ‘Tesla of the North Sea’
of the Year back in 2016.
thanks to its ingenuity and predetermined
“The MDV-1 was built under the
dedication to sustainability.
Netherland’s Masterplan Sustainable
The company recently received its
Fishing Foundation,” Mr van Harberden
fourth nomination for Ship of the Year,
explained. “Following the 2016 Ship of
courtesy of its E-Pusher 1. This first-of-its-
the Year awards, we had a large rollout
kind fully electric inland push boat was
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designed with simplicity and sustainability in mind. Featuring a modular design which boasts scalability and simple yet cost effective construction, the vessel is designed to be adaptable to the varying needs of each customer. “The vessel features a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) hull and six modular parts which are connected via a steel frame,” said Mr van Harberden. “The push boat also showcases two 20ft containers which house high-quality accommodation for crew members.”
Green collaboration The hull design for E-Pusher 1 was developed in collaboration with university with students and young professionals to advance its desired areas of research and development. HDPE is hugely beneficial in design as it is resistant against sea corrosion, marine
Going green: Padmos has taken a leaf from its sustainable designs, making several investments to improve its own carbon footprint, including the installation of 450 solar panels and the harvesting of rainwater for the cleaning of ships in drydock.
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PADMOS SHIPYARD
I PROFILE
growth and UV damage. It also has
“We are also investigating alternative
a low carbon footprint and is recyclable.
fuels,” Mr van Harberden continued. “The
Already utilised on the company’s
research started with seven fuel types,
inland vessels, and with further research,
and we have successfully narrowed that
Padmos intends to extend the use
down to three viable options. Plans were
of HDPE hulls to its seagoing designs
then drawn up to see how these could
as well.
be integrated with our current designs.
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“We don’t have a specific time frame in
during transportation. This makes
mind for when we will start incorporating
the loading and unloading process
greener fuels into our builds, but I believe
much simpler.
methanol could be within the next five
“To maintain an almost emission-free
years. There is also a possibility that in this
status, the vessel will be primarily
time we will begin working with hydrogen
run on batteries and battery storage,”
as well. The development of our fully electric
said Mr van Harberden. “However,
push boats has certainly propelled us in the
because of the size of this ship, it will
right direction.
also house one diesel engine for back-
“One of our biggest selling points is the fuel efficiency of our vessels. They have
up and as a range-extender for longer fishing trips.”
extremely low fuel consumption rates,
The design is currently still in its
and we are determined to maintain that
research and development phase.
with future designs to remain competitive
Construction of the vessel is expected
in that area.”
to start in Summer 2024, with completion predicted for the following year.
Another outstanding design
“Here at Padmos, we are making really
Research has remained a major element
nice boats,” Mr van Harberden concluded.
in Padmos’ success. Keen to carry on,
“We have a great team of people on
the company is currently developing
board, who have helped develop these
a new project which incorporates the
amazing designs, and we have an
latest ideas and advancements in elec-
amazing group of clients who like our
tric propulsion. Project Octopus is a
innovative character. People want to
fishing vessel that is modular in design
invest in our designs because they trust
and incorporates 20ft refrigerated
in our experience and the plans that we
reefer containers to keep fish fresh
have developed.”
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