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Future maritime talent gets a closer look at shipbuilding

Recently we welcomed 40 first- and second-year Maritime Engineering students from NHL Stenden and student association Navigo Ergo Sum (SV NES) for a full day focused on shipbuilding, engineering and digital innovation.

Published
6 October 2026

The day brought together several companies from the Northern maritime cluster together at Shipyard Ferus Smit, each showing the students a different part of the shipbuilding process.

Rick Brinkman, design director at Groot Ship Design, kicked off with an introduction to series shipbuilding at Ferus Smit and the benefits of continuously improving from one vessel to the next. This was followed by a presentation about Groot Ship Design, sharing the expertise in designing efficient and well-considered cargo vessels.

Theodoor de Jonge, our managing director then introduced the students to our company and explained how complex maritime challenges are translated into smart, practical engineering solutions.

After lunch, it was time to leave the presentation room and see shipbuilding up close. During the visit on the shipyard, the students were given a tour on board the Arklow Dale, offering them the opportunity to connect the engineering they study with the vessel taking shape in practice.

Martin de Roosz of Coops & Nieborg continued the programme by sharing the craftsmanship and engineering behind hatch covers and cranes.

The afternoon ended with a look at the digital side of modern shipbuilding. Menno Beenes and Arthur Schout from FerroIT demonstrated how 3D and VR technology can make vessels, designs and technical solutions instantly visible and immersive.

The students were soon experimenting with the technology themselves. And their first design idea? A beer bar on board, of course. šŸ»šŸ˜‰

A great day of sharing knowledge, seeing engineering in practice and introducing the next generation of maritime engineers to the broad range of expertise within our industry.

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DEKC Maritime Ā· October 2026

As part of our annual tradition, our team joined the 4 Mijl Groningen. Unfortunately, not everyone made it into the group photo. Apparently, getting everyone together for a picture was a bigger challenge than running 6.4 kilometres! As always, the excitement started well before the race. Who would be the fastest? Who would beat last year's time? And who was simply aiming to cross the finish line? Different goals, but the same great team spirit! After the race, we celebrated our achievements over a well-deserved drink. And there was another reason to cheer: it was Benthe’s birthday, so naturally, we all sang Happy Birthday at the top of our lungs at the pub! Great team spirit, lots of fun and a fantastic day. See you next year! 🦾

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DEKC Maritime Ā· October 2026

Some milestones are simply too special to let go unnoticed. And this is definitely one of them! Our colleague Gerhard Venema is celebrating an incredible 40 years at DEKC Maritime! 🄳 Four decades of shaping ships, perfecting lines and making sure every curve is just right. As a Fairing Engineer, Gerhard knows his craft inside out. And that's an understatement! He works with dedication, precision and above all: pure craftsmanship! Gerhard, congratulations on this fantastic milestone! We're incredibly proud to have you on board! šŸ‘ Cheers to 40 years! šŸ„‚

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DEKC Maritime Ā· October 2026

We’re lucky to get along just as well outside working hours as we do in the office. šŸ˜‰ Some colleagues head to the pub together, while others prefer to challenge each other through sports. With a team running event coming up soon, we thought our running skills could use a little extra attention. So we organised a running clinic with Wout Schaart from Loophart. On a sunny evening in Groningen’s Stadspark, we worked on our technique, pace and, of course, put in a few kilometres together. The interval tag game at the end was especially fun. Our jobs may require plenty of focus and concentration, but luckily, we haven’t lost our playful side. šŸƒā€ā™€ļøšŸƒā€ā™‚ļø

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DEKC Maritime Ā· October 2026

This week, we welcomed student association Studievereniging Navigo Ergo Sum "Sv NES". No fewer than 40 first- and second-year Maritime Engineering students from NHL Stenden Hogeschool joined us: our future maritime colleagues, business partners and clients. Ā  Rick Brinkman kicked off with the strength of series shipbuilding at Shipyard Ferus Smit - Improvement as tradition: building efficiently through continuous optimisation, followed by an introduction to Groot Ship Design and their expertise in designing efficient and well-considered cargo vessels. Theodoor de Jonge then explained how DEKC Maritime translates complex maritime challenges into smart, practical engineering solutions. Ā  After a tasty lunch, we headed out to the shipyard together. There is nothing quite like seeing the shipbuilding process up close and getting a tour on board the Arklow Dale. Ā  Martin de Roosz then shared the craftsmanship behind the hatch covers and cranes of Coops & Nieborg. We ended the afternoon with an interactive session. Menno Beenes and Arthur Schout from FerroIT B.V. showed how the latest digital developments in shipbuilding can be made instantly visible and immersive in 3D and VR. With a well-written prompt, the students could immediately start experimenting themselves. And what did they come up with? A beer bar on board, of course. šŸ»šŸ˜‰

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Future maritime talent gets a closer look at shipbuilding | DEKC Maritime