ASTANDER

What ASTANDER does

ASTANDER (Astilleros de Santander, S.A.U.) is a Spanish shipyard founded in 1872 in El Astillero (Santander), specializing in ship repairs, conversions, and exhaust gas cleaning system (scrubber) installations for commercial maritime clients. Operating as a B2B services provider under the ITALMAR group since 1999, the company runs two dry docks (230m x 32.8m and 160m x 23.8m), a 1,200-tonne slipway, 200-tonne crane capacity, and in-house mechanical, steelwork, pipework, and electrical workshops, with sister yards ASTICAN (Canary Islands) and ASTIBAL (Panama) extending geographic reach to the Bay of Biscay, the West African coast, and the Americas. Core service lines include comprehensive ship repair (hull, engines, machinery, propulsion, steelwork, pipework, electrical, coatings), vessel conversions (lengthenings, refittings, RoRo/ferry conversions), and scrubber retrofits (both wet and dry sodium-sorbent systems) for IMO 2020 SOx compliance. The workforce exceeds 850 specialized professionals, supported by ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001, and 3834-2 certifications plus a UNE 166002:2014 R&D&I management system certification.

The company derives revenue through professional services engagements priced on a custom project basis, with technical-commercial staff and a global network of 17+ agents driving sales to ship owners and operators across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. ASTANDER's technology stack includes in-house CADMATIC 3D modelling, digital twin capabilities (TWINGATE), a proprietary material traceability platform built on the Origamee cloud with AI-powered OCR and SAGE ERP integration, ultra-high pressure hydro-jetting (FALCH and HAMMELMANN equipment), and friction stir welding robotics (RESURGAM). Forward-looking R&D investments span maritime decarbonization (CAPCO2 CO2 capture, RETROFIT 55, MOSES, APOLO ammonia cracking), port automation (CLEANPORTS 5.0), and digital yard transformation, with co-funding from SODERCAN, CDTI, FEDER, and the European Union's Horizon 2020 program. Customer engagement is multimodal: a customer portal, worldwide agent network, international trade fair presence, and participation in commercial missions organized through the regional development agency SODERCAN.

Name

ASTANDER

Legal name

ASTILLEROS DE SANTANDER, S.A.U.

Website

https://astander.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ASTANDER is a Spanish shipyard founded in 1872, providing ship repair, conversion, and scrubber installation services to global commercial shipowners and operators from facilities in Santander, Las Palmas, and Panama.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ship Repair & Conversion Services

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch & Retrieval Infrastructure (Slipways, Cradles, Travel Lifts, Launching Systems) (IMAJALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Deck Machinery & Mooring Systems (Winches, Windlasses, Capstans) (IMAJAIAA)

Keywords

• Ship repair services
• Vessel conversions
• Scrubber installation
• Maritime shipyard services
• Exhaust gas cleaning systems

Headquarters

HQ city

El Astillero

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ship Repair Services: Comprehensive ship repair services including coating, engines, machinery, tailshaft/rudders/propellers, thrusters, steelworks, pipework, electrical & electronics, and accommodation
2. Ship Conversion Services: Conversion projects including lengthenings, refittings, supply vessels, fishing vessels, RoRo/Ferry conversions
3. Scrubber Installation: Installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) including wet and dry systems for IMO 2020 compliance
4. Design & Engineering Services: Full design and project management for conversions and retrofits, turn-key solutions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ASTANDER (Astilleros de Santander, S.A.U.) is a Spanish shipyard founded in 1872 that provides ship repair, ship conversion, and exhaust gas cleaning system (scrubber) installation services for commercial ship owners and operators. Operating from facilities in Santander, the company services vessels using two dry docks, a slipway, and supporting workshops, delivering turnkey repair and refit projects for international shipping clients.

Product overview

ASTANDER (Astilleros de Santander, S.A.U.) is a shipyard offering integrated ship repair, conversion, and building services from its facilities in Santander, Spain. The core portfolio comprises three main service lines: Ship Repairs (covering hull, engines, machinery, propulsion systems, steelwork, pipework, electrical/electronics, and coatings), Conversions (including lengthenings, refittings, and vessel type conversions), and Scrubbers (exhaust gas cleaning systems including both wet and dry systems). The Design & Engineering department provides turn-key solutions with 3D modeling capabilities. The company is also advancing digital transformation through projects like the Material Traceability Platform on the Origamee cloud, and is deeply involved in R&D initiatives including CO2 capture technology (CAPCO2), digital twins (TWINGATE), friction stir welding robotics (RESURGAM), smart port logistics (CLEANPORTS 5.0), and maritime decarbonization (RETROFIT 55, MOSES). Physical infrastructure includes two dry docks, a slipway, workshops, and a workforce of over 850 people.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ship Repair Services Comprehensive repair services for commercial vessels including hull, mechanical, electrical, and structural repairs performed in dry docks, on the slipway, or afloat. Targeted at ship owners and shipping operators requiring scheduled or emergency maintenance.
• Ship Conversion Services Conversion and refit of vessels including lengthening, modifications, and modernization projects to extend vessel service life or change operational profile. Delivered for ship owners requiring vessel redesign or reconfiguration.
• Scrubber (EGCS) Installation Installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) on commercial vessels to enable compliance with IMO sulphur emission regulations. Targeted at ship owners seeking emission compliance solutions.
• CAPCO2 CO2 Capture Project Carbon capture (CO2 capture) project aimed at reducing vessel emissions by capturing carbon dioxide from onboard sources. Targeted at ship owners seeking decarbonization technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• First successful dry sodium-sorbent-based exhaust gas cleaning system on a vessel (La Méridionale Piana)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SODERCANcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSODERCAN (Sociedad para el Desarrollo de Cantabria) is the regional development agency supporting Astander through various programs including Xtela open innovation program, Exporta más Cantabria internationalization support, AYUDAS TIC R&D funding, and INNOVA grants. Multiple funding programs supporting innovation and international expansion.
• IGNIS ENERGIA, S.L.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLEANPORTS 5.0 project focusing on intelligent and sustainable naval solutions for port automation
• EIFFAGE INFRAESTRUCTURAS, S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLEANPORTS 5.0 project for port logistics automation
• FM LOGISTIC IBERICA, S.L.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLEANPORTS 5.0 project for logistics optimization
• TRANS BASE SOLER, S.L.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLEANPORTS 5.0 project for transport logistics
• PASSION MOTORBIKE FACTORY, S.L.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLEANPORTS 5.0 project
• AQUILES SOLUTIONS, S.L.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CLEANPORTS 5.0 project for port solutions
• WillböcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in CAPCO2 project (TECNAVAL 2025 initiative) for physical pilot CO2 capture plant for maritime decarbonization
• SOERMARcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in CAPCO2 project for maritime decarbonization
• Astican (Astilleros de Canarias)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister shipyard within ITALMAR group, consortium partner in CAPCO2 project
• Bureau Veritas IberiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in CAPCO2 project providing classification and certification expertise
• Grupo ErshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in CAPCO2 project for maritime operations
• IDESAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in CAPCO2 project
• TecnaliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPOLO project coordinator for maritime decarbonisation through ammonia cracking membrane reactor technology
• H2SITEcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnical lead in APOLO project for ammonia cracking membrane reactor technology development
• EvenbytescoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner developing digital material traceability solution using Origamee cloud platform with QR/NFC scanning and AI-powered OCR

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cammell Laird: UK-based ship repair and conversion yard in Birkenhead with large dry docks serving naval and commercial clients. Directly comparable in ship repair, conversion, and refit services for European and Atlantic shipping customers.
• Astilleros Canarios (ASTICAN): Sister shipyard under the ITALMAR group, also based in Spain (Las Palmas) offering ship repair, conversion, and retrofit services. Operates as a directly comparable yard serving Atlantic and West African shipping routes, with shared corporate identity and overlapping service portfolio.
• Palumbo Malta Shipyard: Mediterranean ship repair and conversion network with yards in Malta, Italy, and France. Comparable to ASTANDER in ship repair, refit, and conversion services for commercial and cruise vessels in the Mediterranean / Atlantic market.
• Astilleros de Puerto de Balboa (ASTIBAL): Sister shipyard under ITALMAR group located in Panama, focused on ship repair and conversion in the Americas. Directly comparable yard sharing corporate ownership, service portfolio, and customer base with ASTANDER.
• Navantia: Spain's largest state-owned shipbuilder and repairer with shipyards at Ferrol, Cádiz, and Cartagena. Overlaps directly with ASTANDER in naval and commercial ship repair, conversion, and R&D, and is the dominant domestic competitor for major retrofit contracts.
• Grupo Armón: Spanish private shipbuilding group with multiple yards building and repairing fishing, offshore, and merchant vessels. Competes directly with ASTANDER for ship repair and conversion work in Spain and adjacent Atlantic markets.

Broad incumbents

• Damen Shipyards Group: Large Dutch shipbuilding group with global network of repair yards and shipbuilding facilities. Overlaps broadly with ASTANDER in ship repair, conversion, and newbuild, but operates at a much larger scale across many vessel segments.
• General Dynamics NASSCO: US West Coast shipyard focused on naval auxiliaries, commercial shipbuilding, and repair. Comparable to ASTANDER in scale of repair operations and infrastructure (dry docks, fabrication), though with a heavier naval and Jones Act focus.
• BAE Systems Maritime: Major global defense and shipbuilding group with ship repair, conversion, and refit operations in the UK, US, and Australia. Overlaps with ASTANDER in large-scale ship repair, modernization, and digital twin / decarbonization R&D programs.

Regional players

• Besiktas Shipyard: Major Turkish ship repair and conversion yard in Yalova offering multi-dock repair and refit services. Comparable to ASTANDER in core repair, conversion, and retrofit capabilities, but operating primarily in the East Mediterranean / Black Sea region with lower cost base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJs4LkPBEoVYlnkjGJJZbbw/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/astander

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 ASTANDER