History

The boatmen’s job, mooring and unmooring ships, is an age-old profession.

Even at the beginning of the last century the independently operating Terneuzen boatmen decided to join forces and, so, work together. Around 1905, on the occasion of the opening of the new sea lock (the current central lock), the Verenigde Bootlieden (United Boatmen) was established. This makes it the oldest organisation of boatmen in the province of Zeeland.

Although the nature of the work has not changed essentially, developments have certainly not stood still. Motorised flats have replaced the old rowing boats and where everything used to be done by manpower, the heavy ropes are now mostly winched in. Furthermore, the work is continuously monitored and coordinated from our own, professional control room.

In 1984 the Verenigde Bootlieden decided to change their business organisation, thereby creating the Verenigde Bootlieden BV (Ltd). Our organisation is capable of reacting flexibly and decisively to market developments.