Heerema Marine Contractors
With over sixty years of experience in the offshore world, we deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to complex projects.
1948 - Where it all began
Constructora Heerema was established in 1948 as a small company based near Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. The company specialized in the construction and installation of drilling platforms for oil companies operating on Lake Maracaibo.
In 1962, Heerema Engineering Services was founded, which started the journey we are still on today! During this time, Heerema's focus shifted to the North Sea, introducing our first crane vessels in 1963. They provided more capacity and stability for the installation of jackets and modules, which were also growing in size and weight.
In 1969, Heerema could lift 800 metric tons with a ship-shaped crane vessel Challenger. Soon after that, Heerema’s lift capacity went up to 3,000 metric tons.
1970s - World's First Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel
Ship-shaped crane vessels operating in the North Sea were sensitive to wave action, preventing winter operations.
To increase heavy-lift capacity and operability in the North Sea, Heerema commissioned the world's first semi-submersible crane vessels (SSCVs) – sister vessels Balder and Hermod in 1978.
They brought an innovative dual-crane feature to the market, and suddenly installations that would need an entire summer season to complete could now be ready in a few weeks.
1980s - Teaming-up and Thialf
In the mid-1980s, the price of oil collapsed and oil companies postponed investments.
To stay afloat during this economic downturn Heerema Engineering Services and McDermott, an engineering and construction company, pooled their key equipment in a joint venture called HeereMac that lasted from 1989-1997.
When the companies split, Heerema acquired the DB-102 SSCV and welcomed the vessel with a new name - Thialf!
1990s - Heerema Marine Contractors
In 1997, Heerema Marine Contractors was founded, and with the addition of Thialf the company had three of the world's five SSCVs!
Oil and gas companies were focused on developing fields in water depths up to 3,000 meters. So we converted the Balder from an SSCV to an advanced Deepwater Construction Vessel (DCV Balder).
Many of these deepwater installations are now reaching the end of their life. We put them in, and we are ready to take them out!
2000s - Deeper and deeper
Heerema established itself as the leading contractor in deepwater full field development (including subsea infrastructure), in addition to its conventional construction, installation, and removal services. To strengthen this position, Heerema acquired the specialist welding company, Pipeline Technique Ltd. in 2008.
Heerema introduced DCV Aegir in 2013. The vessel was capable of executing complex infrastructure and pipeline projects in ultra-deepwater. It also has significant crane capacity to carry out installation work in both shallower and deep waters.
Today - Making the Impossible Possible
In 2018, Heerema decided to move away from pipelay and enter the renewables market. Which meant modifications for Aegir to convert the vessel into a Heavy Lift Vessel suited for offshore wind projects.
In 2019, Heerema introduced a new giant to the seas - SSCV Sleipnir! The vessel was christened on May 24, 2019, and broke the world record for the heaviest lift on September 7. Sleipnir is special for more than its 20,000 metric ton lifting capacity, it is also a sustainable vessel.
In 2020, Heerema announced a new vision of making the impossible possible offshore. As well as the mission to be the leading marine contractor creating sustainable value for clients and stakeholders.
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Heerema Fabrication Group
We have specialized in the fabrication of structures for the offshore energy industry for over forty years.
1980s - The Yard at Vlissingen
Constructora Heerema was established in 1948 as a small company based near Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. The company specialized in the construction and installation of drilling platforms for oil companies operating on Lake Maracaibo.
From these beginnings, and with a successful portfolio of installation projects, Heerema expanded into fabricating offshore modules and jackets for North Sea oil and gas companies.
In the 1980s, Heerema Havenbedrijf B.V. was founded with a fabrication yard in Vlissingen.
North Sea Platforms
Heerema built up considerable expertise with turnkey or EPIC (Engineering, Procurement, Installation, and Construction) contracts. Ultimately designing and also installing many platforms on the Dutch Continental Shelf.
Heerema increased its fabrication capacity with the 1990 acquisition of Grootint, one of the four main steel construction companies in the Netherlands. Grootint specialized in large, complex offshore steel constructions such as jackets and topsides up to 10,000 metric tons. It also excelled in the construction of bridges and lock gates.
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1990s - Heerema Fabrication Group
In 1990, the Heerema Fabrication Group B.V. was founded for the purpose of managing all fabrication activities of the Heerema Group.
Several acquisitions and expansions were made in the years that followed, including:
- 1995 Heerema Hartlepool Ltd. in the UK
- 2006 HFG Engineering US, Inc. in the US
- 2008 HFG Polska in Poland
- 2009 HFG Engineering Europe B.V. to focus on European markets
Today - Innovation and Creativity
The Heerema Fabrication Group currently consists of HFG Vlissingen and HFG Opole.
These yards are dedicated to providing the highest quality of fabrication services to our clients in the offshore energy industries.
Heerema Engineering Solutions
Our youngest sibling, offering bespoke engineering solutions for the offshore renewable industry.
The new kid on the block
Heerema Engineering Solutions was formed in 2019 to provide practical solutions based on theoretical knowledge of hydrodynamics and structural engineering.
The company was founded to introduce new working ways within the offshore industry. With a strong focus on automation and understanding how to best adapt to ever-changing codes and standards.
Solutions for the future
The team has been busy with early-stage feasibility studies, equipment development projects, software development projects, offshore support, and major detailed design projects.
Moving forward, they will focus on the offshore renewables sector bringing a wealth of experience to this emerging market.
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Are you ready to make waves?
Join the Heerema team!