We’re always proud when a ship touches water for the first time. Today we’re a little extra proud, today is the trial voyage of the pioneering project 3D-Printed Autonomous Ferry.
You’re righteous to say this is a pioneering project. The hull of the ship is 3D-printed, it sails on batteries which are chargeable via a enormous wireless charger, and to top it off the ship will sail all by itself.
Together with all partner we’re building a piece of progress that has never been made before. Today was the first trial voyage of the ship in Hardinxveld, at Holland Shipyards Group, where the hull, propulsion and the electrical systems are assembled.
A nice number of invitees stepped on board and got the scoop. The trial voyage has passed and brought to light the final points of improvement. We execute the last couple of adjustments and improvements, before the ship will make the trip to our capital, where Roboat will make the ship be able to sail by itself.
In 1920, Jan Cornelis van der Leun opened his shop at the harbor of Sliedrecht. Radios and electric lighting were still new and remarkable at the time. What began with providing light and sound soon grew into creating solutions for the shipping industry and the emerging dredging sector.
That hands-on, problem-solving mentality is still at the heart of our work today.
Stores are constantly evolving: new concepts, updated interiors and smarter technologies. But who makes sure all those plans are actually carried out behind the scenes?
In 2025, Royal van der Leun is responsible for the maintenance and renovation of over 500,000 m² of retail space across the Netherlands. A task that goes far beyond simply pulling new cables.
From June 24 to 26, 2025, Royal Van der Leun will be present at the Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe at RAI Amsterdam. At this leading trade fair in the maritime sector, we will showcase our latest solutions in intelligent electrical systems and sustainable innovation.
