Baptism MS Jan Hakkers Werkendam

Today, Mrs. Lieneke Hakkers, widow of 4^e generation family member Jan Hakkers, along with Noor Bergsma, oldest 6^e generation family member, completed the christening ceremony of the workboat JAN.

The christening took place in Hakkers' work harbor on Bruningsstraat in Werkendam in the presence of family, guests and employees of Hakkers with their families. After the christening there was an opportunity for everyone to board and admire the new ship.

Managing director Jan-Mark van Mastwijk: 'The JAN is the first zero-emission working vessel in the Netherlands, there is no longer a single combustion engine on board: all the energy required is generated by a battery pack in the ship. An example of Hakkers' vision of sustainable enterprise. It is an honor that Lieneke and Noor have taken on this task, for the ship that bears the name of our former co-owner. 

Working vessel JAN

The motor vessel JAN is a working vessel. This type of vessel takes care of finishing work along quays and canals. Using the spud poles and deck crane on board, structural elements can be placed and assembled. The working area of the JAN are the seaports, rivers and canals of the Netherlands and Germany.

The JAN is equipped with a highly advanced battery system for the entire energy supply on board: propulsion, operation of the spud poles and deck crane and the entire onboard network runs on electricity from this battery pack. For this emission-free design, the ship has received two awards: a Green Award Gold with platinum label from the Green Award Foundation and an A0 certificate from the Inland Shipping Emission Label. Both awards are the highest levels attainable.

Emission-free networking event

The day before the christening, a networking event had been organized. During the event, the hydraulic engineering and foundation industry were able to learn about several emission-free techniques within the Hakkers Group. For example, there was a presentation on emission-free application of grout-injection anchors, by Hakkers Funderingstechniek. Several pieces of electrical equipment were also on display.

About Hakkers Group

Hakkers Group is a Dutch family business with over 145 years of hydraulic engineering experience. The fields of Hydraulic Engineering, Foundation Engineering and Steel Construction are central to our activities. Our headquarters are located in Werkendam and we employ approximately 200 people. As adaptive hydraulic engineers, we are the ideal partner for realizing ambitious projects. We think constructively and like nothing better than taking up the challenge knowing that we will always achieve the best result.