History

In 1918 Shipyard de Schoef was founded under the name “Machinefabriek De Schroef” in the city of Terneuzen. The company was relocated in 1964 on the channel island near Sluiskil. This prime location (on the channel from Gent to Terneuzen), the slipway, and big investments over the years combined with experience and extensive knowledge proofed to be the recipe for a successful Shipyard.

The premises of the Shipyard in 1964 consisted of a quay and a transversal slipway of 7 tracks. In 1973 an 8th track was built. The shipyard in that time was focused on the small inland waterway vessels..

In 1980 the decision was made to investment in increasing the amount of tracks of the transversal slipway from 8 to 15. The longitudinal slipway was removed in the process.

In 1985 the first dry-dock was installed at the end of the quay. In the following period a railway was built for 2 movable cranes which could serve works on ships at the quay and on the slipway. Near the dry-dock a fixed crane was installed.

The wish for dry-docking the bigger vessels was realized in 1990. A larger dry-dock with a total lift capacity of 2300 tons was installed.

Because of the expansion of the Shipyard, plans were made in 1995 to replace the office facilities. A complete new building was built with the office on top of the workshop and warehouse. From the office a clear view of the whole shipyard was created.

In 1996 a small dry-dock (dock C) was installed. This dry-dock has a lifting capacity of 600 tons and is mostly used as a so called "Propeller dry-dock" for inland and fishing vessels.

In 1999 seagoing as well as inland vessels were getting more and heavier (requirements for double sides). The increase of the main dimensions, and the stricter environmental and noise level requirements were all reasons to change the dry-dock situation.
The 2300 ton dry-dock had to be replaced and the shipyard still wanted to be able to dry-dock a wide range of vessels. Furthermore Mr. Hoornaert wanted to be able to dry-dock vessels from the short sea shipping market because of its market potential. After an intensive research, definitive plans were made in the beginning of 2000.
The 2300 tons dry-dock would be replaced and an extra dry-dock installed. On the 15th of June 2000 the first dry-dock arrived at the shipyard premises after a 3 weeks long towage from Finland. The dock had a length of 131meters and a lift capacity of 5000tons (dock A). On the 25th of August 2000 the second dry-dock arrived from Finland. This one had a length over all of 96m and a lift capacity of 2500tons (dock B).

After all these investments Shipyard De Schroef was ready for the future. All kinds of vessels out of the inland market were now able to be dry-docked. The Shipyard could also cater to the needs of the "new generation" inland container vessels (135m). Furthermore the lift capacity of 5000 tons easily covers the bigger vessels in the short sea shipping market.

Trough the years the core business of Shipyard De Schroef was repairing and conversions of all kind of vessels. But besides that an impressive amount of new building projects are being carried out successfully. Fishing vessels, bunker vessels, container vessels, chemical- and oil tankers for both seagoing and inland purposes are built by or under supervision of the shipyard.

Relations have been established with several shipyards in foreign countries for the construction of steel Casco’s and for new buildings, under supervision of Shipyard De Schroef.
The Shipyard is currently the operational manager for several inland and seagoing tankers. The extensively gathered detailed knowledge makes Shipyard the Schroef one of the leaders in their field.