20 years

Turning bold ideas into naval solutions

In November 2026, Saltwater Engineering celebrates its 20th anniversary. A milestone we’re proud of, but above all, a great moment to look back and ahead. From our first projects in 2006 to the complex maritime challenges we take on today, a lot has changed over the past two decades. But the way we work has remained the same: curious, practical, and always together.

 

On this page, we take you through 20 years of Saltwater. Discover the milestones that shaped us, projects that show what our engineering can achieve, and stories from the people who make Saltwater what it is today. Sander looks back on how it all started, how the company has evolved, and what lies ahead.

 

Because after 20 years, we’re far from done engineering what’s next. Explore our story, meet the people behind Saltwater, and discover the projects that have shaped our journey.

2006-2026

Saltwater over the years

What started with an ambition and a small team has grown over the past twenty years into the Saltwater we know today. Along the way, we moved locations, expanded our team, and took on increasingly large and complex projects. But our foundation has remained the same: engineering with short lines of communication, smart solutions, and strong partnerships. Follow our journey through the milestones that have shaped Saltwater over the past 20 years.

2006
2006
2006

2006

The beginning of Saltwater

Saltwater was founded on the belief that engineering could be done differently: with direct communication, a strong focus on engineering, and close attention to the client. Four experienced technical professionals decided to take that step together. From day one, enjoyment, craftsmanship, and a practical approach formed the foundation.

2007
2007
2007

2007

Off to a flying start

From its first office in Zwijndrecht, Saltwater got started with four shareholders and one employee. Experience in yacht building immediately opened doors to a range of clients. The first projects were soon underway.

2008
2008 – 2010
2008 – 2010

2008 – 2010

Engineering and production

Projects became larger and more diverse, including a major ship repair project in the Port of Rotterdam. In 2010, Saltwater Marine Services was established, enabling Saltwater to offer not only engineering but also fast, flexible production of maritime and offshore structures.

2011
2011
2011

2011

Time to grow

Saltwater grew to twelve employees. Expertise in structural engineering, ship design, and project management came together to create a strong technical foundation. The first office became too small, so it was time for the next step: a move to Papendrecht.

2012
2012 – 2013
2012 – 2013

2012 – 2013

An increasing focus on offshore

New clients in the marine contracting and shipbuilding sectors fueled further growth. At the same time, the focus increasingly shifted from yacht building to offshore projects, a development that helped shape Saltwater’s direction for the years ahead.

2014
2014
2014

2014

Ready for the next step

As Saltwater grew, the organization evolved with it. The Saltwater Group was established, and once again more space was needed. Another move within Papendrecht followed, creating room to continue building the company.

2015
2015 – 2017
2015 – 2017

2015 – 2017

The strength of the combination

This period was characterized by numerous ship conversions with short lead times. One North Sea decommissioning project stood out. It demonstrated the strength of combining engineering and production when tackling complex maritime challenges.

2018
2018 – 2019
2018 – 2019

2018 – 2019

A new challenge

Through a major shipbuilder, Saltwater became involved in a midlife extension project for the Dutch Ministry of Defense. It was a new environment where our strengths came into their own: adapting quickly, keeping communication direct, and tackling complex technical challenges together.

2020
2020
2020

2020

Heavy work, smart engineering

Saltwater worked on several projects for heavy-lift transport companies in the Rotterdam and Amsterdam regions. These projects brought together technical expertise, practical solutions, and experience with complex maritime operations.

2025
2025
2025

2025

A new home base

Saltwater moved to the Kopgebouw at Leerpark in Dordrecht. It was a deliberate choice for an environment where technology, education, and business come together. Our new home base provides room for further growth while helping connect young technical talent with the maritime industry.

2026
2026
2026

2026

20 years of Saltwater

From a small team to a specialist in complex maritime engineering. Over twenty years, our people, expertise, disciplines, and projects have grown. One thing has remained the same: direct communication, taking ownership, and working together to find practical solutions to technical challenges.

A conversation with Sander

Looking back and looking ahead

Twenty years ago, we started Saltwater with a fairly simple idea: listen carefully to the client, keep communication direct, and solve technical challenges in a practical and effective way. Twenty years, countless projects, new colleagues, and a great deal of experience later, much has changed – but that foundation really has not.

 

When I look back on the past twenty years, what I am most proud of is what we have built together.

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20 years

Defining projects

Some projects stay with you. Because they challenged us, opened new doors, or called for a solution that simply didn’t exist yet.

 

Over the past twenty years, we’ve worked on more than 1,250 maritime engineering projects. From relatively straightforward assignments to complex challenges bringing multiple disciplines together. Every project added new knowledge and experience, but some proved just a little more defining than others.

 

This selection shows how our engineering has evolved over the years and highlights some of the projects that helped shape Saltwater into the company we are today.

Insufficient load capacity of your maindeck hatchcovers? We can help.

Hatchcover strengthening

The system can be disassembled and placed inside 40-foot containers, allowing the structure to be transported across the globe.

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Saltwater was contracted to complete the design and strength calculations.

Outrigger frame

Saltwater was contracted to complete the design and strength calculations.

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Calculating stability and mooring of a 19 meter high rotating disc shaped stage set in the turquoise waters of Hatta Dam.

Floating celebration

Calculating stability and mooring of a 19 meter high rotating disc shaped stage set in the turquoise waters of Hatta Dam.

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Engineering Helen Fehmarnbelt tunnel

Engineering Helen for the Fehmarnbelt tunnel project

To meet the needs of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel project, Saltwater engineered Helen for complex maintenance operations.

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Q&A

Growing together

Twenty years of Saltwater isn’t just about projects and milestones. Above all, it’s about the people who contribute to our story every day. Wouter and Maarten have each experienced an important part of that journey in their own way. They both started as interns, grew alongside Saltwater, and took on more responsibility along the way.

 

In their stories, they look back on their time at Saltwater, the projects and moments that have stayed with them, and the company’s development they’ve experienced firsthand. And, of course, they also look ahead: to what can change and, just as importantly, what should always stay the same.

Lead Engineer

Maarten

Maarten first got to know Saltwater as an intern and returned as a colleague after graduating. Since then, he has progressed to Lead Engineer. For our 20th anniversary, he reflects on that journey, the culture that appealed to him from the start, and what he believes Saltwater should preserve as the company continues to grow.

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Manager Engineering

Wouter

Twenty years of Saltwater means twenty years of developing, growing, and taking on new technical challenges. Wouter has experienced that development firsthand since joining as an intern in 2011. He has seen Saltwater grow from a small, entrepreneurial team where everyone pitched in wherever needed into a maritime engineering firm taking on increasingly large and complex projects.

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OEEC 2026

Coffee’s on us!

Saltwater is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and we’d love to celebrate with you at Offshore Energy 2026. That’s why we’ll have a barista at our booth, ready to treat you to a great cup of coffee.

 

Stop by, grab a coffee and catch up with us about 20 years of engineering, remarkable projects, and the ideas shaping what’s next.

 

We look forward to seeing you at booth 1.517.