Balk Shipyard | True Refit and Rebuild Superyacht Specialists

Balk Shipyard | True Refit and Rebuild Superyacht Specialists

Balk Shipyard was founded in 1798 and is a leading superyacht refit and rebuild specialist based in the Netherlands. With three ultra-modern refit halls, state-of-the-art workshops, and a painting spray cabin, Balk Shipyard can refit or rebuild any superyacht project up to 65 metres in length.

When Balk Shipyard opened its doors over 225 years ago, it began as a traditional fishing vessel builder. The company later shifted to steel and aluminium barges and small yachts in the 1990s before focusing on building and refitting superyachts a few years later. In 2002, Balk Shipyard was granted an exclusive Royal Seal of Approval, symbolising the confidence that the Dutch Royal Family has in the company. The fast-growing yard needed to expand from its original facilities in Elburg, the Netherlands, to the picturesque harbour town of Urk in 2004.

It has been a busy period for the Dutch refit and rebuild shipyard, with comprehensive refit and rebuild projects, a gorgeous new-build sailing yacht and numerous maintenance works all underway simultaneously. Thanks to its state-of-the-art facilities, construction halls, dedicated workshops, and first-class warehouse, undertaking numerous large projects poses no challenge for Balk Shipyard.

There are three state-of-the-art construction halls, all of which are air-conditioned and equipped with eco-friendly floor heating. Air humidity, compression, and temperature can all be regulated, ensuring that all work is completed under optimal conditions. Each hall is equipped with a rail system connected to the slipway and an overhead crane.

The layout and logistics at Balk Shipyard are designed for maximum flexibility. The offices overlook the projects at hand, ensuring direct and efficient communication. The project-managed approach leverages the company’s extensive experience at the heart of the premium Dutch yachting industry. Another attribute of the yard is its unique lifting system and connected slipway.

The sophisticated outdoor slipway at Balk Shipyard is unique in mainland Europe. A six-metre depth means that any vessel able to sail on IJsselmeer Lake can also come to Balk Shipyard for service. The immense cranes, which can lift up to 1,000 tonnes, handle vessels more than 60 metres in length and 12 metres in width. Since its lifting system doesn’t rely on hoists like most movable yacht lifts, Balk Shipyard can also securely transport sailing yachts in and out of the water. It is no wonder that some of Holland’s leading superyacht builders also use their slipway facilities.

Balk Shipyard is currently working on the explorer yacht Ursus, which is undertaking an extensive rebuild. Ursus arrived with a length overall (LOA) of 24 metres and poor seakeeping abilities. Working in collaboration with Mulder Design, Balk Shipyard has rebuilt her hull, extending both her bow and stern, optimising performance and seakeeping abilities. Now with a length of 30 metres, Ursus is much more generous with real estate.

Not every boat that comes to Balk Shipyard needs a comprehensive refit. It carries out all forms of maintenance and repair activities on luxury yachts over 20 metres. The shipyard is also strategically positioned to facilitate maintenance work for superyachts that have just made a transatlantic crossing. This year, Balk Shipyard welcomed the 62-metre CRN superyacht Rio and the 49.7-metre explorer Triton, among others, for maintenance work.

Located in Urk, the Netherlands, just an hour's drive from Amsterdam, Balk Shipyard is at the heart of shipbuilding in Northern Europe. The local airport, Lelystad, is very close to its facilities, and Owners and their representatives can be at their projects in less than 30 minutes from landing. Unlike many Northern European shipyards, Balk Shipyard looks out onto the North Sea. Travelling by sea from Harlingen, only one lock needs to be passed, and the journey typically takes 1.5 hours. Balk Shipyard is just 1,850 nautical miles from the Mediterranean.

Balk Shipyard will be at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024! Its stand will be located on Quai l'Hirondelle, Booth QH20. And its team will be on-site throughout the show and available for meetings to discuss any refit and rebuild projects. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with them to schedule an appointment.

If you are not attending the Monaco Yacht Show but would like more information about your refit or rebuild, you can reach Balk Shipyard at pr@balkshipyard.com or call us at +31 527 681 741.