EDR ANTWERP SHIPYARD
SHIPYARD IN THE HEART OF EUROPE POWERED BY INSIDE MARINE
EDR ANTWERP SHIPYARD
180 Inside marine
I PROFILE
With over 20 years’ experience, EDR Antwerp Shipyard is a highquality shipyard focused on repairs, maintenance and retrofitting. Commercial Manager Philippe Trouillard shared the latest news and the importance of the shipyard’s location, in conversation with Phil Nicholls.
T
he highly experienced team at EDR Antwerp Shipyard is dedicated to delivering a full-service shipyard in
the heart of Europe. The extensive portfolio of services is conveniently available to clients at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, one of Europe’s largest ports and the world leader in the import and export of Ro-Ro cargo. “Recently new IMO regulations came into effect, with EEXI one of the leading deciding factors to execute a modification or conversion project,” Commercial Manager Philippe Trouillard explained. “If we think further, it only makes sense from a ship-lifecycle management point of view to perform these works where the vessel is located, near the cargo port. This reduces the economic downtime of the vessel.” Established in the late ‘90s as Engine Deck Repair NV with a small repair shop in Antwerp, EDR has steadily expanded. In 2015, EDR acquired ownership and management of the shipyard at Quay 403 in the centre of what is now known as the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Today, EDR has a state-of-the art office building to accommodate employees and clients, while the renovations of its
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EDR ANTWERP SHIPYARD
I PROFILE
second largest drydock are ongoing. All of
and 80,000 square metres of open
these developments are part of EDR’s aim
project area, we can deliver a seamless
to be the leading modern ship repair and
project flow.”
conversion shipyard in Europe by 2025.
Within these impressive facilities, EDR manages every type of shipyard activity,
An ideal location
from emergency dockings to special
EDR Antwerp Shipyard owns and
surveys, conversion projects and ship-
manages one of the largest drydocks in
building. The company is an expert in
Europe, at 312m long, 52m wide and 8.5m
turnkey projects such as ballast water
deep. The company’s two larger docks
treatment plants, scrubber installations,
are both serviced by cranes with 100
propeller retrofits and many more.
tonnes lifting capacity. With four
The spare parts department at EDR bene-
engraved drydocks and 2,500m of quays,
fits from a fully bonded shipyard area and
EDR offers full service for any ship repair
utilises its fleet of trucks, semis and deep
and conversion project.
loaders to transport all the equipment
“Our workshops total 14,000 square
and tools. Worldwide transportation is
metres,” said Mr Trouillard. “They have
facilitated in partnership with a network
been renewed and expanded, including
of high-quality freight forwarders.
a high-tech detail blasting unit and tur-
The location within the Port of Antwerp-
bocharger department. With over 18,000
Bruges remains a key component for the
square metres of covered warehousing
delivery of EDR’s services, according to
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Mr Trouillard: “Antwerp also has the least
efficiency and precision in ship repair
amount of weather delays compared
and maintenance.
with other more northern shipyards.”
“Every day, sustainability and technical developments are not far away,”
Precision projects
Mr Trouillard explained. “In a changing
To maintain the high standard of its
industry, we are carefully testing several
services, EDR has integrated cutting-
new options. For example, we are exploring
edge technological advancements into
the field of semi-automated hull treatment
its operations. This has enhanced its
dust captivation and noise reduction.
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EDR ANTWERP SHIPYARD
I PROFILE
“The way vessels are surveyed is also
including BWTS installation. We completed
rapidly changing with the introduction
the project within 13 days when the vessel
of drones, and the use of augmented
was empty. This achievement has set
reality to assist technical managers is
high expectations throughout the con-
not far away. Further investigations are
tainer shipping market.
underway in the field of cold ironing whilst
“Also, owners and managers of Ro-Ro
vessels stay in a shipyard. Finally, we are
vessels easily find their way to our facilities,
also exploring projects regarding 3D
where we can open all the ramps and
metal printing.”
simultaneously work in, on and outside
With over 500 requests per year for
of the vessel.”
quotations, EDR executes an average of 150 projects at its premises (drydock and layby
A new green shipyard
repair berth), including approximately 60
EDR is the largest investor in Belgium’s
dockings per annum. The team of 180 FTE
maritime industry. This is part of EDR’s
and 350 dedicated subcontractors
programme to maintain the quality of
deliver a client satisfaction rate of over
its facilities. The old office building was
85%. Indeed, more than 45% of EDR’s
recently replaced by energy-efficient
clients return for multiple services.
premises. Dock 5 has had a complete
Despite such a wide range of projects,
concrete renewal and EDR is investing
Mr Trouillard picked out a highlight: “At our
in frequency-driven pumps, LED lighting
shipyard, we follow the economics of the
and solar panels.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges, meaning that our
“Personally, the most iconic statement
largest and most successful projects are
our investments have made is the rebuild
on board container vessels, car carriers,
of the old 60 tonne travelling crane at
tankers and bulk carriers.
Dock 5,” Mr Trouillard explained. “This
“For example, EDR executed a special package on one particular vessel,
184 Inside marine
crane was neglected and out of use, but is now restored to fully functioning glory.
There aren’t that may shipyards in Europe
our already famous Belgian Beer Night
who are investing in rebuilding and
on the 9th of November 2023. Find us at
restoring shipyard facilities.”
booth 3010!”
To further its sustainable investments,
Looking ahead, EDR aims to become
EDR is working with Green Shipyard. This
the market leader in ship repair and
new organisation works to improve the
conversion. The shipyard is a reliable
sustainability of shipyards in Europe. Green
partner with significant room for growth
Shipyard produces a significant list of KPIs
each year, and established win-win
so that each shipyard can obtain ratings
relationships with clients. These goals
regarding sustainability. On the back of this
can only be achieved by maintaining
information, EDR is exploring significant
clear and transparent communication
energy reduction projects and the possi-
with clients and delivering tightly bud-
bility of investing in wind turbines.
geted projects. EDR wants to stand as an example
The friendly shipyard
for Europe, regarding sustainable and
“Along with the rebuild of the shipyards’
environmental leadership. This is clearly
infrastructure, we have had to reposition
a fascinating time to be working at EDR,
the activities of EDR and emphasise our
as Mr Trouillard made clear in his conclu-
existence as a transparent, high-quality
sion: “Working at EDR is to be working
shipyard in the heart of Europe,”
with colleagues who become good
Mr Trouillard continued. “Trade exhibi-
friends, almost family. There is a high
tions such as Europort 2023 are the
level of trust in the company and within
perfect way to combine all the above,
the management.
accompanied by a nice beer or two.
“Even with the most modern
“This year, we are looking forward to
machinery on site, the work here is done
welcoming many old and new friends
by great people, and that is what EDR is
at Europort again, and especially during
all about.”
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