Dutch manufacturer acquires C-Nautical designs and certifications, bringing back a European alternative, proven by its first contracts with Damen and Briese Schiffahrt

Dijvler, a Dutch specialist in anchor and mooring winches with nearly 50 years of experience in inland waterway vessels, is expanding into the sea-going vessel segment. The company has acquired the rights, designs, drawings, and certifications of C-Nautical and has developed a new, standardised programme of anchor- and mooring winches for cargo vessels and offshore support vessels. The first orders are expected to be delivered in 2027.

Market gap following supplier exits

Several European suppliers, including C-Nautical, exited the market, in part due to sustained price pressure that drove margins below sustainable levels. The result was a market without viable Dutch or broader European alternatives for high-quality anchor- and mooring winches for sea-going vessels.

Dijvler identified this gap as a logical extension of its existing business. The company has supplied more than 2000 winches to the inland waterway sector since its founding in 1977 and has built a track record on the back of proprietary designs, in-house assembly, while aiming for long-term service relationships.

Standardised programme, ready for production

Over the past two years, Dijvler has reviewed and standardised the C-Nautical design portfolio. The company found the original designs to be of solid engineering quality and updated and integrated them into a coherent new product line. Note that key type approvals have been obtained for the full range of winches. Taken together, this enables the company to move quickly from enquiry to detailed engineering package to production.

The winches are produced at a partner production facility in China, a facility with which Dijvler’s Managing Director Laurens van Gelder has worked for many years. Van Gelder previously served as Managing Director of Damen Anchor & Chain Factory Production in China allows Dijvler to remain price-competitive with Asian suppliers while retaining full control over design, quality assurance, and aftersales support from the Netherlands. In the meantime the production facility in Hardinxveld-Giessendam in the Netherlands offers the opportunity for Made in Europe production.

An added benefit for shipyards building in China is the ability to source from a locally producing supplier while owners and operators retain access to European service support. Payment in local currency simplifies procurement for Chinese yards.

First projects confirmed

Dijvler has re-established contact with a number of former C-Nautical customers and is in discussions with several shipyards, with the first Dijvler winch deliveries anticipated in the near future. In the meantime, several orders have been received from Damen Cargo Vessels and Briese Schiffahrt for deliveries over the next years.

Dijvler’s winches carry type approval from Bureau Veritas and Lloyd’s Register, including Marine Design Appraisal, and are certified to current ATEX directives.

Dijvler’s Owner & Director Laurens van Gelder is proud to see the result of those years of development and investments: “The exits we saw in this market were ultimately the result of a race to the bottom on price. That is not a model that serves customers well. An anchor winch has to perform reliably for decades. That demands a supplier with the financial health and commitment to still be there when service is needed. We have been building winches for nearly fifty years. That continuity is what we are bringing to the sea-going market. Last, a message to former C-Nautical customers: we invite you to contact us if you have any questions about legacy installations, spare parts, service needs, or upgrades.”

Long-term commitment over short-term pricing

Dijvler’s approach to the sea-going market reflects the same philosophy that has underpinned its inland waterway and short sea business, i.e. the company aims for transparency, realistic pricing, and a service network that remains available throughout the operational life of the equipment.