Kewatec
Kewatec is a Finnish manufacturer of custom aluminum workboats for defence, civil security, and infrastructure sectors, delivering mission-ready vessels such as patrol, rescue, fire-fighting, and passenger boats with hybrid and electric propulsion to government and commercial customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersKokkola, Finland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kewatec does
Kewatec (legal entity Oy Kewatec AluBoat Ab) is a Finnish builder of custom professional aluminum workboats serving defence, civil security, and infrastructure buyers across the Nordics, the Baltic region, and select African markets. Founded in 1998 by Karl-Erik Wargh in Kokkola, the company has delivered nearly 800 workboats and now operates three production sites (Kokkola headquarters with hull production and assembly; Porvoo shipyard for refit/repair and large-vessel assembly; Kälviä for hull production). Its portfolio spans fire-fighting (FiFi), search and rescue, ambulance, patrol, littoral service boats, landing craft, bridge erection boats, multi-purpose support vessels, fast patrol boats, pilot boats, work boats, survey vessels, and passenger boats.
Kewatec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kewatec
- Legal name
- Oy Kewatec AluBoat Ab
- Website
- https://kewatec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kewatec is a Finnish manufacturer of custom aluminum workboats for defence, civil security, and infrastructure sectors, delivering mission-ready vessels such as patrol, rescue, fire-fighting, and passenger boats with hybrid and electric propulsion to government and commercial customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kewatec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Aluminum Workboats
- NAICS
- Ship and Boat Building (33661), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Government & Municipal Service Craft (Research, Survey, Inspection, Buoy Tenders) (IMAJADAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Patrol, Interceptor & Law-Enforcement Craft (Coast Guard, Customs) (IMAJADAD), Fireboats & Emergency Response Craft (IMAJADAH), Search & Rescue (SAR) & Lifeboats (IMAJADAI), Landing Craft & Amphibious Workboats (LCM/LCT-style, Beaching Craft) (IMAJADAK)
Keywords
Where Kewatec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kokkola
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Kewatec 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 Boat Manufacturing: Kewatec designs and builds custom professional aluminum boats for defence, civil security, and infrastructure sectors. Each boat is tailored to specific customer requirements and mission profiles. Revenue is generated through one-time vessel sales with extensive pre-sale consultation and engineering.
- After-Sales Service and Spare Parts: Post-delivery services including spare parts supply for all workboats, diesel and gasoline engines, generators, waterjets, outboard motors, navigation and electronics, and warranty service. Primary contact is the project manager who knows the project best.
- Refit and Repair Services: Maintenance and repair operations at Porvoo shipyard, with subcontractor network for equipment installations, boat outfitting, and welding services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom vessel pricing based on specifications |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kewatec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kewatec designs and manufactures custom-built professional aluminum workboats for defense, civil security, and infrastructure operators. The portfolio covers patrol, rescue, fire-fighting, ambulance, pilot, work, survey, and passenger vessels, with growing hybrid and fully electric propulsion offerings. The company also provides refit, repair, after-sales service, and spare parts for delivered vessels.
Product overview
Kewatec is a manufacturer of professional aluminum workboats with roots dating back to the 1970s, operating as a trusted builder of mission-ready solutions for professionals who work at sea. The company offers reliable marine solutions across three market segments: Civil Security (FiFi fire-fighting, Rescue SAR, Ambulance, Patrol boats), Defence (Littoral Service Boats, Landing Crafts, Bridge Erection Boats, Multi-Purpose Support Vessels, Fast Patrol Boats), and Infrastructure (Pilot, Work, Survey, Passenger boats). The product portfolio includes both conventional and hybrid/electric vessels such as the e-Survey 2390/2360, e-Work 2100, e-FiFi 1470, and ePassenger 2400. Nearly 800 workboats have been delivered to various authorities. Kewatec employs over 100 people across locations in Kokkola, Porvoo, and Kälviä, Finland, with operations conducted through legal entity Oy Kewatec AluBoat Ab.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kewatec Shipyard: The combined entity after Kewatec merged with Weldmec Marine Oy on 1 January 2026, operating from Porvoo and Kokkola locations.
Products and services
- Kewatec ePassenger 2400 Fully electric passenger vessel designed for modern public transport. Capacity for 148 passengers with 2-person crew, fully accessible, equipped with two 180 kW Danfoss electric motors, 299 kWh battery capacity, and a 130 kVA range extender. Cruising speed 9 knots, top speed 12 knots.
- Kewatec Patrol 1630 16.3-meter self-righting patrol vessel combining strength, stability, and maneuverability. Classified by Polish Register of Shipping, with large fuel tank capacity for extended operating range and modern navigation systems. Designed for border protection, customs, and coast guard operations.
- Kewatec e-Survey 2390 Multi-purpose hybrid survey vessel designed for maritime research and education, suitable for shallow archipelagic waters and open sea. Features work deck areas, wet and dry laboratories, freezer, large container spaces, engine rooms, and a wide wheelhouse with 360-degree visibility. Operable from 4 separate helm positions.
- Kewatec e-Survey 2360 Multi-purpose hybrid research vessel designed for maritime research and education, suitable for shallow archipelagic waters and open sea. Features work deck areas, wet and dry laboratories, freezer, large container spaces, engine rooms, and a wide wheelhouse with 360-degree visibility. Operable from 4 separate helm positions.
- Kewatec e-Work 2100 State-of-the-art hybrid work boat designed for fairway service. Features a large foredeck with hydraulic crane suitable for lifting people, hydraulic bow and stern thrusters for easy maneuvering, dynamic positioning system, and fully hybrid main propulsion combining electric battery drive with Ecopar ultraclean marine diesel. Duplex steel propeller with straight shaft.
- Kewatec e-FiFi 1470 Cutting-edge hybrid fire-fighting and oil recovery boat for eco-conscious operations. Features hybrid system with emissions-reducing electric propulsion, powered by 2 Volvo Penta D13 engines. Equipped with Fassi crane, Simrad navigation systems, and hydraulic bow thruster. Designed for operations up to 10 nautical miles from coast.
- Kewatec Rescue 1700 Search and rescue vessel designed for demanding maritime rescue operations. Part of Kewatec's civil security boat portfolio for coast guards, emergency services, and SAR authorities.
- Refit, Repair, and After-Sales Service Post-delivery services for delivered vessels including spare parts supply for workboats, diesel and gasoline engines, generators, waterjets, outboard motors, navigation and electronics, warranty service, refit and repair operations at the Porvoo shipyard, and subcontractor network for equipment installations and welding services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 800 work boats delivered to authorities and customers
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Kewatec
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kewatec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Kewatec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- MartecminorMartec is a 67%-owned subsidiary of Oy Kewatec AluBoat Ab, located in Bergen, Norway. Martec sells professional work boats and marine engines and other marine equipment to professional markets, and handles service and repair in cooperation with selected partners.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kewatec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SAFE Boats International: US-based builder of aluminum patrol, defence, and security boats supplying US Navy, Coast Guard, and allied governments. Directly comparable to Kewatec's Patrol/Defence segment in aluminum hull production, mission-ready fit-out, and government customer base.
- Maritime Partner: Norwegian manufacturer of aluminum workboats and pilot boats serving ports, coast guards, and offshore operators across the Nordic region. Closely parallels Kewatec's pilot boats and infrastructure work-boat segment with overlapping customers.
- Metal Shark Boats: US aluminum boat builder specializing in defence, law enforcement, and commercial workboats. Comparable to Kewatec in aluminum construction, custom mission-specific designs, and overlap on patrol/SAR/defence markets.
- Brødrene Sunde (Sunde AS): Norwegian workboat and aquaculture vessel builder with aluminium and steel construction. Overlaps with Kewatec on workboat builds, refit services, and Nordic infrastructure customers.
- Baltic Workboats: Estonian shipyard producing patrol, work, and wind-farm support vessels primarily in aluminum. Operates in the same Baltic Sea catchment as Kewatec, serving similar patrol, customs, and commercial buyer profiles.
- Silver Ships: US aluminum boat manufacturer serving military, government, and commercial marine customers with patrol, fire/rescue, and workboats. Strong product overlap with Kewatec's Civil Security and patrol portfolio.
- ASERV: UK-based manufacturer of aluminum patrol vessels for navies and security forces worldwide. Directly comparable to Kewatec on patrol/defence aluminum platforms and government procurement.
- TUCO Marine: Danish builder of fast patrol boats, crew transfer vessels, and workboats for defence and offshore wind markets. Comparable in custom aluminum craft production and adjacent geographic customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Damen Shipyards: Dutch global shipbuilding group producing patrol vessels, fast patrol boats, and naval auxiliaries as part of a much broader shipbuilding portfolio. Comparable on defence/security patrol products but at significantly larger scale.
- Fassmer: German shipyard group building patrol boats, SAR vessels, and naval platforms for global customers. Larger incumbent with broader portfolio but overlaps directly with Kewatec's patrol/SAR/defence offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kewatec social profiles
Digital presenceKewatec compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Kewatec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kewatec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Kewatec subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Kewatec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kewatec 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 Kewatec
What does Kewatec do?
Kewatec designs and manufactures custom-built professional aluminum workboats for defense, civil security, and infrastructure operators. The portfolio covers patrol, rescue, fire-fighting, ambulance, pilot, work, survey, and passenger vessels, with growing hybrid and fully electric propulsion offerings. The company also provides refit, repair, after-sales service, and spare parts for delivered vessels.
Is Kewatec a public or private company?
Kewatec is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Kewatec founded?
Kewatec was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kewatec based?
Kewatec is headquartered in Kokkola, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Kewatec make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Boat Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are after-Sales Service and Spare Parts and refit and Repair Services.
Who are Kewatec's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SAFE Boats International, Maritime Partner, Metal Shark Boats, Brødrene Sunde (Sunde AS), Baltic Workboats, Silver Ships, ASERV and TUCO Marine. Broad incumbents are Damen Shipyards and Fassmer.
Does Kewatec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kewatec.
What industry is Kewatec in?
Kewatec's product category is Professional Aluminum Workboats. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJADAL, Government & Municipal Service Craft (Research, Survey, Inspection, Buoy Tenders), with a secondary code of IMAJADAD, Patrol, Interceptor & Law-Enforcement Craft (Coast Guard, Customs). Its NAICS code is 33661 and its SIC code is 3730.