What Syncrolift does

Syncrolift AS is a Norwegian engineering company, founded in 1966 and operating as a subsidiary of Nekkar, that designs, manufactures, and installs shiplift and transfer systems for shipyards worldwide. Its core technology platform centers on fully welded rigid platform shiplifts capable of lifting vessels above 30,000 tons, fluid bed transfer systems that distribute ship loads over larger areas, and frequency-controlled motor control systems with double-redundant braking. The product portfolio is organized into three solution areas: Shiplift Systems (rigid and articulated platforms, wedged slipways, docklifts, floating docks), Transfer Systems (fluid bed, rigid transfer, FlexTrolley, multi-wheeler SPMTs, dual walking beam), and the Fast Docking accessory suite (propeller pullers, bilge support arms, flex pads, auto block guiding, underwater inspection drones).

The company sells primarily to commercial shipyards and naval/defense shipyards through a direct enterprise sales motion that includes feasibility consulting, custom engineering, installation, and long-term service. Revenue is generated through one-time capital equipment sales, recurring service and maintenance contracts, OEM spare parts and upgrade sales, Lloyd's-approved training programs, and consulting engagements (250+ completed to date). Service offerings include annual inspections, condition-based maintenance, NDT wire rope inspection, remote support, and retrofit upgrades such as the rigid-to-fluid transfer system conversion. Customers include Dubai Maritime City, BAE Systems Australia, Damen Shipyard, Norwegian Navy, Thyssenkrupp, ASMAR, and the Indian Navy at NSRY Karwar. The company holds Lloyd's Register Approved Service Supplier and Training Provider status, DNV ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certifications, and self-describes as the world's leading supplier of shiplift and transfer systems with 100+ installations globally.

Name

Syncrolift

Legal name

Syncrolift AS

Website

https://syncrolift.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Syncrolift AS is a Norwegian engineering company that designs and installs shiplift and transfer systems for commercial and naval shipyards globally, serving customers such as Damen, BAE Systems, the Norwegian Navy, and Dubai Maritime City with 100+ installations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Shipyard Lifting Equipment

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (3366), Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Shiplifts & Transfer Systems (Rail/Platform Transfer, Slipways) (IMAJALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dry Docks & Floating Docks (Graving, Floating, Syncrolift) (IMAJALAA), Retrofits, Upgrades & Compliance Conversions (Scrubbers, BWTS, Alternative Fuels, Energy-Saving Devices) (TLAHAMAI), Naval & Government Vessel Maintenance & Modernization (TLAKAKAB)

Keywords

• Shiplift systems
• Transfer systems
• Shipyard equipment
• Vessel docking
• Marine lifting equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Vestby

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Shiplift and Transfer System Sales: Design, manufacture, and installation of custom shiplift systems and transfer systems for shipyards. Systems are tailored to individual shipyard requirements with capacities ranging from small vessels to 30,000+ ton ships.
2. Service and Maintenance Contracts: Comprehensive and condition-based maintenance services including annual inspections, periodic maintenance, and on-site support. Service agreements at multiple levels from basic annual inspection to full condition-based maintenance.
3. Training Services: Lloyd's approved training programs including Dockmaster Training and operational training for shipyard personnel.
4. Spare Parts and Upgrades: OEM spare parts, modifications, and upgrades for existing Syncrolift installations. Includes software upgrades, platform renewals, and control system upgrades.
5. Consulting Services: Feasibility studies and layout planning for new docking facilities. Consulting team has completed 250+ consultations in shipyards worldwide.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Syncrolift designs, manufactures, and installs custom-engineered shiplift and transfer systems for shipyards worldwide, capable of handling vessels up to 30,000+ tons. The company also sells a Fast Docking product suite (bilge support arms, propeller pullers, flex pads, underwater inspection drones) to reduce ship turnaround time, and provides consulting, training, and lifecycle service and maintenance for its installations.

Product overview

Syncrolift is a Norwegian company (A Nekkar Company) and the world's leading supplier of shiplift and transfer systems. The product portfolio consists of three interconnected solution areas: (1) Shiplift Systems - including Rigid Platform Shiplift, Articulated Platform Shiplift, Wedged Slipway, Docklift, and Floating Dock - for safely lifting ships weighing up to 30,000+ tons for maintenance and repair; (2) Transfer Systems - including Fluid-bed Transfer System, Rigid Transfer System, FlexTrolley, Multi-wheeler, SPMT (Self Propelled Modular Transporter), and DWB (Dual Walking Beam) - for moving vessels onshore within shipyards; and (3) Fast Docking™ Products - including Propeller Puller, Bilge Support Arms, Dock Side Support Arms, Shiplift Support Arms, In-haul & Positioning Systems, Flex Pads, Auto Block Guiding, Thruster Handler, Multi Vessel Docking System, and Underwater Inspection Drones - designed to reduce ship turnaround time in dry docks. Supporting these core systems are key components including Control System, Hoist, Side Locking, End Lock, Containerized MCC, and Platform Decking. The company also provides comprehensive services including consulting, site operations, NDT wire rope inspection, remote support, OEM spare parts, and modification/upgrade services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fast Docking: Products designed to reduce turnaround time for ships in docks or on land, including bilge support arms, propeller pullers, and flex pads

Products and services

• Rigid Platform Shiplift
• Articulated Platform Shiplift Shiplift platform with articulated design for accommodating various ship configurations in shipyards.
• Wedged Slipway A slipway solution for shipyards with shallow waters, allowing multiple ships to be moved onto land.
• Docklift Equipment for safely moving megablocks up to 7000 tons into graving docks.
• Floating Dock Converts floating docks to transfer docks or shiplifts for moving ships onto land.
• Fluid-bed Transfer System Self-propelled cushion system for transferring and protecting complex ships during dockings. Capable of handling vessels up to 30,000+ tons compared to 3,000T for steel-only systems.
• Rigid Transfer System Transfer system that does not re-distribute peakload, with work load area up to 3-4,000 tons and x and y movements.
• FlexTrolley Transfer system that moves ships anywhere on land to maximize the number of ships docked by better utilizing available land area, with work load area up to 10,000 tons.
• Multi-wheeler Block handling equipment using SPMT technology, capable of handling blocks from 50 tons to 5000 tons, with tandem operation for larger loads.
• Self Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) Advanced shipyard logistics equipment combining innovative technology with robust engineering for reliable, efficient, and versatile ship transfer operations, handling loads up to 3,000 tons with fluid bed technology.
• Dual Walking Beam (DWB) Transfer system where the system itself serves as the rails, with multi-directional movement capability.
• Propeller Puller Simplifies removal and installation of propellers and rudders with up to 100 ton capacity, tailored to specifications, reducing or eliminating use of cranes and scaffolding.
• Bilge Support Arms 34 ton hydraulic / 65 ton mechanical mode capacity equipment that eliminates need for bilge blocks, portable with easy slide on and off installation.
• Dock Side Support Arms 22.5 ton SWL capacity per arm equipment with synchronized arms operation for vessel centering, supporting the ship in the dock without bilge blocks.
• Flex Pads High-quality polymer compounds for use on keel blocks instead of wood, with loads up to 1000 t/m2, deflecting to max 50mm, reusable for 50-100 dockings.
• Thruster Handler A multitool for fast docking with angular pull of up to 8 degrees, 40 ton load capacity, saves time in prep and operation.
• Multi Vessel Docking System (MVD) Designed to accommodate ships with complex hull shapes, with 1200 ton capacity, adapted for docks, shiplifts and transfer systems, hydraulically operated.
• Underwater Inspection Drones (SUD) Inspection drones ensuring complete underwater control and monitoring, safer and faster inspections that eliminate need for divers with better documentation capabilities.
• Shipyard Layout Planning Consulting services for shipyard layout and docking facilities planning, with the consulting team having completed 250+ consultations in shipyards worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vessels up to 30,000+ tons can be handled with Fluid Bed Transfer System
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Dubai Maritime CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Dubai Maritime City operates two Syncrolift shiplifts (6,000T and 3,000T capacities) with fluid bed transfer system. DMC is a premier maritime hub with 48 dry berths and 1100+ dockings annually. The partnership supports DMC's commitment to providing state-of-the-art infrastructure to shipbuilding and repair partners.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Wärtsilä: Finnish marine technology and services provider serving shipyards, ship owners, and naval operators globally. Adjacent in marine services and ship-lifecycle support; serves overlapping end-customers (shipyards and navies) and competes for related service revenue.
• Damen Shipyards: Dutch global shipbuilder and ship repair operator with its own shipyards using Syncrolift transfer systems. Functions both as a Syncrolift customer and as a broader ecosystem participant in shipyard infrastructure, including Damen-built shiplift-compatible designs.

Broad incumbents

• Liebherr: German-Swiss family-owned manufacturer of heavy equipment including ship-to-shore cranes, mobile harbor cranes, and shipyard cranes. Comparable in serving shipyard lifting applications, with broader product portfolio and global manufacturing footprint than Syncrolift.
• Cargotec (MacGregor): MacGregor (part of Cargotec) supplies marine cargo handling, load-handling, and ship maintenance equipment globally, including hatch covers, cranes, and offshore load-handling systems. Broadly overlaps with Syncrolift's shipyard equipment and vessel-handling categories but at a much larger scale and broader product scope.
• Terex (Demag): Terex (including the Demag industrial cranes brand) supplies port handling and shipyard cranes, including heavy-lift and process cranes. Adjacent competitor in shipyard lifting infrastructure, with broader industrial and construction crane portfolio.
• Palfinger: Austrian-based global leader in lifting solutions including marine cranes, davits, and deck equipment. Comparable in serving shipyards and naval customers with lifting/handling equipment, though focused on cranes rather than shiplift platforms.
• Konecranes: Finnish global leader in cranes, lifting equipment, and material handling, with substantial port and shipyard presence including ship-to-shore cranes and heavy-duty industrial cranes. Overlaps with Syncrolift in shipyard lifting and transfer solutions, though at much broader scale and scope.

Direct peers

• Marine Travelift: US-based manufacturer of mobile boat lifts and self-propelled hydraulic trailers serving shipyards, marinas, and naval facilities. Direct competitor to Syncrolift in vessel-handling and transfer-system categories, particularly for smaller-vessel and mobile-lift applications.
• Huisman: Dutch designer and manufacturer of heavy marine lifting equipment, including ship-to-shore cranes, offshore cranes, and heavy-lift systems. Direct comparable to Syncrolift in the marine heavy-lifting category, with strong naval and offshore customer overlap.

Regional players

• Fassmer: German shipbuilder and supplier of shipyard equipment, lifeboats, and naval vessels, primarily serving European shipyards and navies. Adjacent in shipyard infrastructure and naval equipment, with regional European focus that overlaps with Syncrolift's home market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Syncrolift
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syncrolift

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Syncrolift