Multraship Towage & Salvage has opened its new head offices at the Middenhavendam location in Terneuzen this afternoon. Located immediately alongside the Scheldt River, it houses offices, a warehouse, the 24/7 dispatch centre and a simulator training centre. All with direct access to a private wharf, working area, and berths for part of the family company’s fleet.

“This is a milestone in the ongoing development of Multraship,” says Managing Director, Leendert Muller.

Joan Nuijten-Muller performed the opening ceremony in the presence of the mayor of Terneuzen, Erik van Merrienboer, the Nieuwe Sluis project director at VNSC, Eric Marteijn, and a large number of guests. As project director, she oversaw the entire construction process and realised the building and berths on behalf of Multraship.

Energy-neutral

The new building on the over 6,800-square-metre site measures 100 by 20 metres. It has two floors and was built on energy-neutral lines with state-of-the-art materials, including an advanced air-conditioning system.

“This is a pivotal step forward for us,” says Muller. “In terms of operational efficiency and teamwork, the link to the new lock provides an opportunity to maintain our current growth, supporting both our local and international operations.

“That growth is partly the result of our increasing involvement in support work for major projects in offshore wind farm construction and infrastructure. Examples include the construction of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel between Germany and Denmark, the Princess Elisabeth Energy Island offshore Belgium and the Oosterweel Tunnel near Antwerp.”

Growth across the board

During recent years, the number of Emergency Response Towing Vessels deployed by Multraship on behalf of the Coast Guard has also increased to three.

“There is an upward trend in towing and salvage activities,” continues Muller. “Combined with other maritime services, we are now active in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.”

Alongside the new Middenhavendam location, Multraship also has a location in Terneuzen on the Goessekade, with berths, a warehouse, offices and waiting locations for affiliated companies such as the Verenigde Bootlieden and Montis Mooring.