Redwise marks 120 years of Global Ship Delivery. From the first voyage in 1906 to thousands of deliveries worldwide, the anniversary reflects a long history of seamanship, responsibility and trusted maritime service.
Huizen, The Netherlands, 30 July 2026 – On 13 October 2026, it will be exactly 120 years since the company's very first ship delivery voyage commenced. Redwise is celebrating 120 Years of Ship Delivery, as the world's oldest and most experienced specialist in delivering vessels on their own keel under their own power.
It all began when Joh. F. Wijsmuller departed from the Netherlands with his crew on board the steam tug M.O.P. 222B on a 6,500-nautical-mile voyage to Argentina. That voyage started with ingenuity. The propeller was removed and a temporary sailing rig improvised, achieving what others deemed undoable through astute seamanship and respect for the weather. This journey marked the beginning of a maritime company that evolved into BV Bureau Wijsmuller before coming full circle as Redwise in 2004. Being 100% independent, with a free spirit and open mind to tackle each challenge and remain true to its beliefs, Redwise remains a marine services company leading Global Ship Delivery and operating in distinct maritime niches. Above all, this milestone is a tribute to the generations of captains, officers, engineers, crew members, superintendents, shore staff and directors whose professionalism, dedication and seamanship have made each and every voyage possible.
Since that first voyage, Redwise has delivered thousands of vessels across the globe on their own keel. From tugs, fishing vessels and ferries to dredgers, offshore vessels, tankers and highly specialised ships. Every delivery is different, yet each project is built on the same principles: knowledge, safety, seamanship, thorough preparation, respect for the weather, and responsibility.
While Ship Delivery remains at the heart of the company, Redwise has expanded its activities over the years. Today, the company also provides Crewing, Deep Sea Pilotage, Offshore Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), and operates its own survey vessel, ARCTIC, supporting a wide range of offshore and seabed research projects.
"Celebrating 120 years of Ship Delivery is about much more than the number itself. It is a tribute to the generations of dedicated seafarers, colleagues, clients, and partners who have all contributed to making it happen," said Willem-Jan Hamers, Managing Director of Redwise. "Shipping has changed enormously over this period, from sail to steam to motor-driven vessels, from dominant European liner companies and famous shipbuilders to investors and ship managers with multinational crews and an enormous increase in scale including the once-unthinkably large shipyards in Japan, Korea and China. Shipping and working on board have become a lot safer. Some may still remember the perishing of sailing ships, groundings, tanker explosions etc. The introduction of gyros, radars, satellite navigation and communication, more reliable engines, better understanding, and stronger legislation have all greatly improved safety and were needed as well to keep up with the increase in scale. This may have overshot itself, with the ever-growing disregard for experience and seamanship in favour of an undue reliance on procedures, checklists, inspections, vetting and a blame culture, and a demand for schedules and (extreme) profits.
"Redwise's commitment to responsibility, safety, respect for the weather, and delivering what we promise remains. In essence, not much has changed. It all comes down to people, trust and, as my predecessor Evert taught us and summed it up, 'We are not going to get wet feet', long before ISO norms and ISM existed."
Throughout 2026, the anniversary will be the central theme of Redwise's communications. The dedicated anniversary website will feature the company's history, milestone projects, historic photographs and stories from the people who have helped shape Redwise over the past 120 years. Over time it will grow into a living archive, drawing information from decades of physical file cabinets and records that we are still working our way through, sharing the best of what we dig up. Throughout the year, a series of articles and features will highlight the company's heritage while also looking ahead to the future.
About Redwise
Since 1906, Redwise has been a trusted maritime service provider specialising in Ship Delivery of vessels on their own keel, Crewing, Deep Sea Pilotage, Offshore VTS and Survey Operations. With experienced professionals both ashore and at sea, Redwise supports shipowners, shipyards, offshore companies, brokers, flag states and governments with any vessel, as long as it is, or can be made, seaworthy.