Verhoef
Verhoef is a Dutch family-owned manufacturer founded in 1941 that designs and builds aluminium freefall lifeboats and ship-to-shore gangway systems for oil & gas, naval, maritime terminal, and aviation safety customers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1941
- HeadquartersAalsmeerderbrug, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Verhoef does
Verhoef Aluminium Scheepsbouwindustrie B.V. is a family-owned Dutch manufacturer founded in 1941 and headquartered in Aalsmeerderbrug, Netherlands, with approximately 80 employees. The company designs, engineers, and builds two core product lines: aluminium freefall lifeboats certified to SOLAS, DNV-OS-E406, and NORSOK R-002, and ship-to-shore gangway/access systems (tower, column, riding ladder, and offshore Walk-to-Work designs). Verhoef pioneered the aluminium freefall lifeboat category in 1961 and in 2019 delivered the world's first such lifeboat with electric propulsion (FL50-EP) to AkerBP. It operates the only permanent full-scale drop test facility in the Port of Amsterdam, with a 42m tower and serves as both product manufacturer and test service provider.
Verhoef serves enterprise customers primarily in oil & gas offshore platforms and terminals (Statoil/Equinor, AkerBP, Nexen/CNOC, Heidrun, Yamal LNG), with additional customers in naval/military (BAE Systems for the Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers), aviation (Schiphol Airport), cruise terminals, and inland/coastal shipping. The company sells through a direct B2B sales engineering team with custom-designed, quote-based pricing for large projects and disclosed unit pricing for portable ships gangways. Revenue streams include custom hardware sales (long-cycle projects recognized on delivery), an after-sales service business with 24/7 global support, and a Lifetime Extension Programme for the installed base of 1,200+ gangway systems and 5,000+ lifeboats delivered to 70+ countries.
The business model is project-driven and high-touch, with multi-year framework agreements (e.g., Statoil/Equinor), joint engineering arrangements inside larger alliances (Wellhead Platform Alliance with ABB, Aker Solutions, and Kværner), and a JV (Joined Jetty Solutions with Kanon Loading Equipment) extending the addressable scope into terminal loading equipment. Verhoef holds ISO 9001:2015, VCA, Achilles, and a D&B Rating 1, and is pre-qualified through Achilles Oil & Gas Europe and Offshore Norge. The company is privately held by the Verhoef family, with Martin Verhoef as CEO since at least 2016.
Verhoef firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Verhoef
- Legal name
- Verhoef Aluminium Scheepsbouwindustrie B.V.
- Website
- https://verhoef.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1941
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Verhoef is a Dutch family-owned manufacturer founded in 1941 that designs and builds aluminium freefall lifeboats and ship-to-shore gangway systems for oil & gas, naval, maritime terminal, and aviation safety customers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Verhoef industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Safety and Access Equipment
- NAICS
- Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (33661)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retrofits & Modernization (Scrubbers, Ballast Water, Alternative Fuels, Energy-Saving Devices) (IMAJAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Propulsion MRO, Spares & Field Service (Overhauls, retrofits, upgrades) (IMAJAHAN), Electrical, Automation & Navigation MRO (Power, Controls, Comms, ECDIS/Radar) (IMAJAFAD)
Keywords
Where Verhoef is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aalsmeerderbrug
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Verhoef business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Marine Safety Equipment Manufacturing: Design, manufacture and delivery of custom aluminium freefall lifeboats and gangway systems. Products are custom-made per client specifications with long manufacturing cycles. Revenue recognized upon delivery.
- After-Sales Service and Spares: 24/7 service department providing installation, commissioning, crew training, regular inspections, refurbishment and lifetime extension programs. Extensive spare parts warehouse with rapid availability. Service agreements for predictable maintenance.
- Training Facility Equipment: Supply of freefall lifeboats to training institutes. At Petrofac Aberdeen over 5,000 drops and 185,000 persons trained.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard ships gangways (Type S - ISO7061 compliant) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom freefall lifeboats and gangway systems |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Verhoef product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Verhoef designs, manufactures, and delivers custom aluminium freefall lifeboats and ship-to-shore gangway systems for the maritime industry. The company serves oil and gas offshore platforms, oil and gas terminals, naval/defense programs, cruise terminals, aviation maintenance, and inland/coastal shipping operators worldwide. In addition to engineered hardware, Verhoef provides 24/7 after-sales service, spare parts, crew training, lifetime extension programmes, and operates a permanent drop test facility in Amsterdam.
Product overview
Verhoef Access Technology is a Dutch manufacturer specializing in two core product lines: aluminium freefall lifeboats and ship-to-shore gangway systems. The product portfolio includes tower, column, and riding ladder gangway designs for oil/gas terminals, plus portable ships gangways (Type S and Type B) and bulwark ladders. Freefall lifeboats are offered in multiple capacities (FL50 to FL75) with optional electric propulsion. Optional accessories include hydraulic cranes, control cabins, fire monitor columns, and the patented counterweight system. The company provides comprehensive services including Lifetime Extension Programme (LTEP) for existing equipment and permanent drop test facilities in Amsterdam. Over 1200 gangway systems and numerous lifeboats have been delivered to over 70 countries worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Joined Jetty Solutions: Joint venture with Kanon Loading Equipment combining knowledge of both companies in development of hose towers for maneuvering hoses from jetty to ship for (un)loading liquids or gases.
Products and services
- Gangway Systems (Ship-to-Shore Access Systems) Telescopic gangway systems providing safe personnel access between ships and shore at terminals. Includes column, tower, and riding ladder designs that compensate for tidal movements, loading/unloading, and vessel drift. Over 1,200 systems supplied to more than 70 countries.
- Aluminium Freefall Lifeboats Self-righting aluminium freefall lifeboats for emergency evacuation from ships and offshore platforms. Certified to SOLAS, DNV-OS-E406, and NORSOK R-002 standards. Multiple capacity models including FL50-NS (32 persons) and FL75 (70 persons), with optional electric propulsion.
- Electric Powered Freefall Lifeboat (FL50-EP) World's first aluminium freefall lifeboat with electric propulsion, replacing diesel engines. Reduces maintenance costs by 80-95%, improves reliability and safety, and uses Li-Ion battery packs designed for 30 minutes at full speed and 10 hours at 50% speed.
- Counterweight System for Gangways
Quantifiable outcome
- 80-95% cost reduction on regular inspection and maintenance with electric propulsion vs diesel
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Verhoef
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Verhoef technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
Verhoef partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- AkerBPflagshipContract signed for world's first aluminium freefall lifeboat with electric propulsion for Valhall Flank West project. Optional agreement for similar future projects. Part of Wellhead Platform Alliance (WHPA) with ABB, Aker Solutions, and Kværner.
- BAE SystemsflagshipDesign and development of bespoke gangway systems for Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. Part of £100 million BAE Systems investment. Custom 12-tonne gangways handling 3,000 people per hour.
- Statoil (now Equinor)flagshipFive-year framework agreement to provide freefall lifeboat systems, related products and support services. First contact February 2012. Statoil inspected FFLBs designed to DNV-OS-E406 and NORSOK R-002.
- Joined Jetty Solutions (with Kanon Loading Equipment)coreVerhoef joined forces with Dutch company Kanon Loading Equipment to form Joined Jetty Solutions. This partnership combines knowledge of both companies in development of hose towers for maneuvering hoses from jetty to ship for (un)loading liquids or gasses.
- ABB, Aker Solutions, Kværner (Wellhead Platform Alliance)coreWHPA alliance jointly responsible for engineering, purchasing, fabrication and commissioning of jacket and topside for AkerBP Valhall Flank West project.
- MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands)minorCooperation with MARIN for maritime research. Interview published in MARIN Report December 2014. Model tests performed with Verhoef freefall lifeboat at SAIL Amsterdam 2015.
- Petrofac Training ServicescoreFreefall lifeboat training facility in Aberdeen. Over 5,000 launches performed. Over 185,000 persons trained. Only approved facility for oil and gas personnel training in UK.
- Falck NutecminorMarine training institute in Rotterdam equipped with Verhoef freefall lifeboats.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Verhoef competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Caley Ocean Systems: UK-based supplier of offshore access solutions including motion-compensated gangways and walk-to-work systems for offshore platforms. Direct overlap with Verhoef's offshore gangway range and similar target customer base of oil & gas platform operators.
- Norsafe: Norwegian lifeboat manufacturer serving offshore platforms, tankers, and naval vessels with freefall and conventional lifeboats. Closely comparable product line to Verhoef's freefall lifeboat range and competes for the same European oil major customers.
- Viking Life-Saving Equipment: Norway-based Viking is the world's largest manufacturer of lifeboats and marine safety equipment, directly competing with Verhoef in freefall lifeboats for offshore platforms and merchant vessels. Both firms serve oil & gas majors and hold SOLAS/DNV certifications.
- Fassmer Shipyard: German family-owned shipyard and lifeboat manufacturer producing freefall lifeboats, fast rescue craft, and lifeboat launching systems. Comparable product offerings, customer base, and family-owned niche-specialist profile to Verhoef.
- Survitec Group: UK-based Survitec is a major global marine safety equipment supplier offering lifeboats, life rafts, and evacuation systems to oil & gas, cruise, and naval customers. Direct overlap with Verhoef in lifeboat manufacturing and aftermarket service.
Others
- Kanon Loading Equipment: Dutch manufacturer of marine loading arms and hose tower systems, partnered with Verhoef in the Joined Jetty Solutions joint venture. Comparable end customers (oil & gas terminals) and adjacent product portfolio in jetty access and (un)loading equipment.
Broad incumbents
- Palfinger: Austrian global leader in marine cranes and lifting/access equipment, with a marine product portfolio that overlaps Verhoef's gangway systems at terminals and offshore platforms. Significantly larger and broader, but addresses adjacent access-and-lifting customer needs.
- MacGregor (Cargotec): Part of Cargotec/Hiab, MacGregor provides ship-based access systems, offshore load-handling, and gangway solutions to commercial shipping, offshore, and naval customers. Competes with Verhoef in offshore walk-to-work and ship access solutions but at much larger scale and across broader product lines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Verhoef social profiles
Digital presenceVerhoef compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Verhoef financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Verhoef leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Verhoef subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Verhoef funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Verhoef M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Verhoef
What does Verhoef do?
Verhoef designs, manufactures, and delivers custom aluminium freefall lifeboats and ship-to-shore gangway systems for the maritime industry. The company serves oil and gas offshore platforms, oil and gas terminals, naval/defense programs, cruise terminals, aviation maintenance, and inland/coastal shipping operators worldwide. In addition to engineered hardware, Verhoef provides 24/7 after-sales service, spare parts, crew training, lifetime extension programmes, and operates a permanent drop test facility in Amsterdam.
Is Verhoef a public or private company?
Verhoef is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Verhoef founded?
Verhoef was founded in 1941. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Verhoef based?
Verhoef is headquartered in Aalsmeerderbrug, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Verhoef make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Marine Safety Equipment Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are after-Sales Service and Spares and training Facility Equipment.
Who are Verhoef's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Caley Ocean Systems, Norsafe, Viking Life-Saving Equipment, Fassmer Shipyard and Survitec Group. Kanon Loading Equipment is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Palfinger and MacGregor (Cargotec).
Does Verhoef have an API?
No public API is recorded for Verhoef.
What industry is Verhoef in?
Verhoef's product category is Maritime Safety and Access Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAFAH, Retrofits & Modernization (Scrubbers, Ballast Water, Alternative Fuels, Energy-Saving Devices), with a secondary code of IMAJAHAN, Propulsion MRO, Spares & Field Service (Overhauls, retrofits, upgrades). Its NAICS code is 336611 and its SIC code is 3730.