Joris Vogels Succeeds Eric Lamkin as Hytech-Pommec CEO
announced that Joris Vogels has been appointed Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2026. He succeeds Eric Lamkin, who has led the company in recent years and will remain closely involved in its strategic direction as a shareholder.Several years ago, Hytech – originally a spin‑off from Royal IHC – was acquired by a group of investors together with Pommec Diving Equipment. The successful integration of both companies resulted in the current Hytech‑Pommec: an organization with a global top‑three position and abroad portfolio of products and services in hyperbaric technology. The post‑merger
Rick van de Wetering Wins 2025 IADC Young Author Award
The International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC) bestowed the Young Author Award 2025 to Rick van de Wetering, Research Engineer at Royal IHC and Ph.D. candidate at Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. IADC’s Young Author Award is given annually to “stimulate the promotion of new ideas and encourage younger men and women in the dredging industry." The award is granted at industry-leading conferences, with 2025’s winning young authors selected from the proceedings of the 24th WODCON Congress, held from June 23-27, 2025 in San Diego, California.
DOF Develops Cable Repair Spread for Offshore Wind Services
operators’ response to cable faults.Engineered for compatibility across DOF’s fleet of 65 vessels, the system offers an industry-first combination of fleet-wide flexibility, road transportability, and rapid deployment capabilities.Developed in collaboration with engineering specialists, Royal IHC, the spread allows for mobilization and commissioning within 48 hours, using just 12 lifting operations.According to the company, this represents a vast improvement on traditional fixed systems, which are often limited to single-vessel availability.“This is a genuine step change in how the
India Stretches Bids Deadline for 13 Offshore Deep-Sea Mineral Blocks
reply to parliament said the ministry had consulted the environment ministry, department of fisheries and others before launching the auction.India currently lacks the seabed mining expertise to extract minerals, experts say.Some Indian mining and cement companies have approached Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC for technical assistance as they prepare to bid for deep-sea blocks, Reuters reported last month.New Delhi has also had limited success in its onshore critical minerals auction, with only about half of the 48 blocks awarded to bidders.Yet India is keen to accelerate seabed mineral exploration to
Indian Firms Turn to Dutch Royal IHC for Deep-Sea Minerals Exploration
Some Indian mining and cement companies have approached Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC for technical assistance as they prepare to bid for deep-sea mineral blocks up for auction, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.In November, India launched the first tranche of auction for 13 offshore deep-sea mineral blocks, including three lime mud blocks, three construction sand blocks, and seven polymetallic nodule blocks.The blocks contain critical minerals, including cobalt, copper, manganese, and nickel, which are vital for electric vehicles and solar panels.Bidding for the first tranche
De Bruijn Tapped to take the Helm at IADC
; Kolman, who has represented the international dredging sector since 2008. Kolman will retire on November 1, 2025 and, following that transition period, De Bruijn will formally take over the role of Secretary-General.de Bruijn has valuable background in the dredging industry. He began his career at Royal IHC, where he worked for nearly 12 years in various roles, including Manager of Development for Cutter Suction Dredgers and Manager of Engineering. De Bruijn also has experience in the trade association sector. For the last eight and a half years, he worked at Netherlands Maritime Technology (now known
Royal IHC Secures Launch Customer for Its New Surface Fed Amphibious Hi-Traq Jetter
Royal IHC announced it has secured a contract to supply U.S.-based Caldwell Marine International (CMI), with a newbuild Amphibious Hi-Traq Jetter.This subsea tracked trenching vehicle is the first of its type to be owned and operated by a specialist U.S. cable installation contractor.Brett Bailey, general manager at CMI, said, “This state-of-the-art instrument significantly increases CMI’s cable burial capabilities and allows us to better approach complex submarine cable installations. The Surface Fed Amphibious Hi-Traq Jetter will play an important role in the ongoing future successes of
HAL to Sell 60% Stake in Offshore Foundation Installation Specialist IQIP
HAL, the Dutch investment subsidiary of HAL Holding, has agreed to sell 60% in IQIP, a supplier of foundation and installation equipment to the offshore wind, coastal & civil, and oil & gas markets.HAL acquired IQIP from Royal IHC in March 2023.The company has now agreed to sell 40% of IQIP to AvH Growth Capital NV1 (“AvH”) and 20% to MerweOord B.V.MerweOord can increase its shareholding to 33.33% during 2024, which would result in HAL, AvH, and MerweOord owning one-third of IQIP’s shares, each.The transaction is based on an equity value of IQIP, adjusted for dividend, of
HAL Buys Offshore Installation Equipment Firm IQIP from Royal IHC
HAL, the Dutch investment subsidiary of HAL Holding, has acquired IQIP, a supplier of foundation and installation equipment to the offshore wind, coastal & civil, and oil & gas markets from Royal IHC for an undisclosed fee.IQIP is active worldwide and both sells and rents out equipment. According to HAL, IQIP's revenue over the financial year ending December 31, 2022, amounted to € 102 million. IQIP is based and has approximately 300 employees.The sale involves the transfer of 100% of the shares of IQIP Holding B.V. to HAL. "For Royal IHC, this is an important
December 2025
