Launch vessel Superior Achiever
Speech by the Netherland's Economic Affairs Minister, Ms. Maria van der Hoeven, at the launch of the vessel Superior Achiever, Krimpen aan den IJssel, January 19, 2008
Ladies and gentlemen,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First and foremost I would like to thank Mr. Arjan Klijnsoon and his company, IHC Merwede, for the opportunity to assist in the launch ceremony of the Superior Achiever. Even as a government minister, one learns something new every day - and today I experienced the thrill of actually launching a ship for the first time of my life.
Secondly, I would like to congratulate Mr. Jim Mermis, the Chief Executive Officer of Superior Offshore International, with his new multi-role offshore support vessel. And I also congratulate Mr. Mermis for choosing IHC Merwede. After all, it is the world's foremost builder of specialized ships for the dredging and offshore industries.
Ladies and gentlemen!
This country has a longstanding and complicated relationship with the sea. I think it is a prime example of a love-hate relationship: the sea has been an endless source of sorrow and suffering; at the same time it has been the catalyst of many a glorious, and profitable, venture - from the great 16th-century voyages to the East Indies to modern-day maritime engineering feats such as the Superior Achiever.
And I remind you of the prominent role the Dutch are playing in solving the post-Katrina problems in New Orleans, Louisiana, the home state of Superior Offshore's operational base.
The Netherland's shipbuilding industry, I am very happy to note, has recovered from a deep slump. In the 1970s and '80s it suffered heavily from Asian competition, as many European shipyards did at the time. Fortunately, the industry's newfound focus on innovative niche markets such as dredging, offshore and luxury yachts has been very succesful. The Superior Achiever is an excellent example of such a niche product: a tailor-made, highly innovative offshore vessel.
What is the secret of the Dutch maritime industry's competitive success? I believe it is the strong sense of a common destiny among all partners in the sector. The result is close co-operation throughout the industry: shipbuilders, their suppliers and research institutions all share their resources to satisfy even the most demanding customers. Customers such as Superior Offshore, who insist on the latest, most innovative technologies and production processes.
Again, the Superior Achiever is a fine example; its development was marked by many technological challenges, which IHC Merwede was able to solve in close collaboration with its suppliers and R&D facilities such as Delft Technological University and the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands.
As in many other sectors, it is "innovate or die" in the shipbuilding industry. Therefore, I'm glad to report that Dutch shipbuilders spend a robust 180 million Euros per annum on research and development.
Ladies and gentlemen!
The Netherlands' shipbuilders do not operate in a vacuum. They compete on the global market; and other than continuous innovation, the industry needs a level playing field. Here is where the government can play its modest role.
To increase competitiveness and promote innovation - especially among the industry's small companies, of which there are many - I support the Maritime Innovation Program with 40 million Euros. The program is a "joint venture" of the government, the industry and knowledge institutions such as universities and R&D facilities. One of its spearheads is a focus on complex, specialized vessels such as the Superior Achiever.
The Dutch government also contributes to creating a level playing field. Last year, we created the Innovative Shipbuilding Subsidy Scheme - worth about 8 million euros in 2008 - to bolster the position of our shipbuilders on the European market.
As said, the government plays a modest supporting role. It should, in my view, not aspire to do more. For it is up to the industry to meet the major challenges: innovation and wordwide competition.
IHC Merwede has shown that it is able to meet them. It is a real pleasure to see that after more than four years, one of Europe's biggest indoor shipyards is working at full throttle again - I hope that the Superior Achiever is the first of a long line of ships to be built here.
I compliment IHC Merwede, its people and its partners with the resurrection of this shipyard. That is a real achievement. And once again, I congratulate the owners of the Superior Achiever with their new acquisition.
Thank you.