Bolidt builds momentum in ferry market
Bolidt (resins applications) has reported strong growth in the global ferry market as its decking solutions are selected for an increasing variety of passenger ship projects.
The Netherlands-based company says it is currently engaged in projects on a wide range of vessel types for owners around the globe.
In the United States, NYC DOT Staten Island Ferries has commissioned Bolidt to install Bolideck 525 on three of its new vessels following a successful small-scale trial. The system has been applied to 4,000 square metres of passenger areas and indoor decks on each of the first two double-ended ferries. Installation work will soon begin on the second ship, with the final vessel due for delivery by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in 2021.
Closer to home, Amsterdam’s GVB IJ Ferries has collaborated with Bolidt in recent years with orders for a total of 14 of its vessels, for the domestic market. This includes a new series order for five fully electric ferries being built at Holland Shipyard Group for routes connecting Amsterdam Centraal to Amsterdam Noord; Bolidt is set to install its Bolideck Select Hard and Boligrip solutions on each ship.
Work is also under way at Tersan Shipyard, Turkey, on a series order for the much larger Havila Voyages’ coastal ferries. Operating in the Norwegian fjords – an emissions control area – all four vessels will run on liquefied natural gas-electric hybrid and feature Bolideck Future Teak on all outdoor decks, with an underlayer of the recently launched, ultra-lightweight Boliscreed 400 ULW.
Meanwhile, Bolidt has cemented its strong relationship with Tallink after the two parties agreed a contract for the supply of flooring solutions for an LNG-powered fast ferry to operate on the Tallinn-Helsinki route. Built for speed and efficiency, the vessel will also feature Bolideck Future Teak.
Alongside its ongoing and forthcoming engagements in the US and Europe, Bolidt is involved in several projects in China – evidence, says Jacco van Overbeek, director maritime, of the company’s growing reputation.
