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Royal T Shipyards, the century old Dutch shipbuilder headquartered in Kampen, will make its debut at Navalia 2026 in Vigo, Spain, next week, signalling a strategic push into Southern European and Atlantic markets where demand for efficient short sea tonnage is on the rise.
The yard, which received the honorary “Royal” designation from the Dutch Crown in June 2025 after marking its 100th anniversary, will exhibit at Stand B14, Hall 3, as part of the Dutch Pavilion organised by Maritime & Offshore NL. Navalia runs from 19 to 21 May and is widely regarded as the most important shipbuilding exhibition in Spain, with the 2024 edition drawing more than 500 exhibitors, 6,000 companies from 90 countries, and over 25,000 professional visitors.
Modular Vessels for a Changing Market
At Vigo, Royal T Shipyards will showcase its portfolio of standardised, modular vessel series for the short sea and regional shipping segments. The lineup centres on dry cargo vessels, product tankers, and cement carriers, all designed and engineered at the yard’s own facilities.
The company’s approach relies on series production and modularity, a method it says shortens delivery times, lowers technical risk, and improves lifecycle performance. Its established vessel families, including the LABRAX, SALMO, and GADUS series, use diesel electric propulsion and are built with future fuel compatibility in mind.
“Our participation at Navalia reflects our ambition to further expand in Southern Europe and beyond,” said Thecla Bodewes, CEO of Royal T Shipyards and the seventh generation shipbuilder to lead the family business. “We understand our clients’ transport challenges and actively look for opportunities to accelerate their business. Our series built vessels are designed to deliver exactly that: efficiency, reliability, and long term value.”
The LABRAX series in particular has gained traction. In March 2026, the yard launched MPV Greta C, a 7,680 deadweight tonne multipurpose dry cargo vessel built for UK based Carisbrooke Shipping. That vessel, measuring 118.60 metres in length and 14.30 metres in beam, was the latest in a string of LABRAX deliveries. Late in 2025, Royal T Shipyards christened MV Vertom Quina, the tenth LABRAX hull, for Dutch operator Vertom Group.
Strong Orderbook Underpins Iberian Push
Royal T Shipyards said it enters Navalia backed by a robust orderbook spanning vessels under construction and in development for clients across Europe, Scandinavia, and South America. Ongoing series production for repeat customers, the yard noted, reflects confidence in its standardised approach, while new contracts point to broadening demand for vessels that meet tightening emissions requirements.
The yard continues to develop tonnage that is compliant with current environmental regulations and prepared for zero emission operations, a factor increasingly relevant as the European Union’s Emissions Trading System now covers maritime transport and the International Maritime Organization pushes ahead with its greenhouse gas strategy.
Wilco Smit, who leads Sales and Project Development at Royal T Shipyards, said the Navalia appearance is about more than visibility. “Navalia is an excellent opportunity to connect with both existing and new partners in these markets. We are looking forward to discussing ongoing projects, upcoming tenders, and how our vessel concepts can support our clients’ operations.”
Why It Matters for Iberian and Atlantic Operators
Spain, Portugal, and the wider Atlantic region represent a growing addressable market for efficient and versatile short sea vessels, particularly as operators face rising fuel costs, stricter emissions targets, and fleet renewal pressure. Dutch yards have traditionally competed strongly in this segment, and Royal T Shipyards’ Navalia debut positions the Kampen based builder to capture orders in a region where it has had limited direct presence until now.
The yard operates from four locations in the Netherlands: Kampen, Harlingen, Meppel, and Stroobos. With more than 200 newbuild vessels delivered over its history, Royal T Shipyards ranks among the established names in European short sea shipbuilding, a sector where modular, series built designs are gaining ground as owners seek faster delivery and predictable costs.
