Wijnne Barends.

Founders

Two young entrepreneurs from Groningen establish a shipping company with a broad range of maritime services, from chartering and freight forwarding to agency and insurance, for both sea and inland shipping. After the passing of co-founder Johan Herman Wijnne, Barend Cornelis Barends decides to retain the company name. Out of respect for the founder, it remains unchanged.

Growth to thirteen vessels

Between 1861 and 1866, the fleet grows from five to thirteen vessels. The international commercial crisis that began in 1857 temporarily weighs on the business, but the company holds its ground in the slipstream of the Industrial Revolution and global trade.

Delfzijl

The opening of the Eemskanaal from Groningen to Delfzijl creates fresh opportunities. A second office opens in Delfzijl, later to become the headquarters and, to this day, the home port of Wijnne Barends. The Barends family lives above the premises; the business is literally their home.

First train accident

On 2 June 1868, Johan Herman Wijnne tragically becomes the sole casualty in the very first train accident in the Netherlands. Although Barend Cornelis Barends is granted permission to change the company name in 1870, he chooses never to do so. Out of respect, both names remain, still unchanged over 170 years later.

Focus on Agency

Around 1879, the company’s focus shifts for decades towards agency, forwarding and shipbroking services. While vessels remain under management, new investments in newbuild ships do not resume until 1952.

Samual Barends

Samuel Barends, son of Barend Cornelis, took over the Delfzijl office at just 21 years old. Following his father’s passing in 1891, Samuel became director of both the Groningen and Delfzijl operations at the age of 26.

Restructuring

Samuel Barends restructures the business into ‘Wijnne & Barends’ shipbroking and agency offices’ and appoints his eldest son Barend Zacharias, alongside W.F. Oosterheert and G. Meijer, as co-directors. Together, they steer the company through the economic crises of the 1930s.

Second World War

Following Samuel’s sudden death in 1936 and the passing of Meijer at the outbreak of the Second World War, Barend Zacharias becomes sole director in 1940. He steers the company through the war years and, after WWII, expands the business by opening a travel agency in Groningen.

MS Marie Christine

The first vessel built to their own design, a 500-ton coaster named after the mother of Barend Zacharias Barends. It was his life’s work; he passed away suddenly in 1953, just one year after its delivery.

100th Anniversary

Following Barend Zacharias’ death, Niels Barends (his third son) and J. Sanders become co-directors. Sanders had been with the company since 1919 and had managed the Groningen office since 1932. The fleet reaches its peak with over 130 coasters: one out of every eight Dutch coastal vessels sails under Wijnne Barends.

Safety at Sea

The introduction of the recognizable orange hull under the motto ‘safety at sea’. During the 1960s, Wijnne Barends invests in 20 sister ships for maximum fleet flexibility. To this day, the orange hull remains our signature at sea.

Terminal Farmsum

Establishment of Wijnne Barends Logistics. The first terminal opens in Farmsum, behind the sea locks, traditionally fully equipped for handling sawn timber packages from Scandinavia and forwarding via truck or inland vessel. The second ‘Marie Christine’ is built: the very first Wijnne Barends vessel featuring a box-shaped hold.

Private Limited Company

Wijnne Barends becomes a private limited company (BV) with shareholders – predominantly descendants of the Barends family. The Groningen office ceases its shipping activities (the travel agency remains), and all shipping operations are consolidated in Delfzijl.

Groundservice Groningen Airport

Groundservice Groningen Airport (GGA) is established as a subsidiary for charter and scheduled flights at Eelde Airport.

New leadership

Following Niels Barends’ untimely death in 1979, Marius Cornelis Nijhoff (his nephew) and Kuper take over the management. Nijhoff is the last Barends family member to serve on the board. Despite the severe economic downturn of the 1980s, the company continues to invest in stable, flexible multi-purpose vessels.

Technical innovations

Following Niels Barends’ untimely death in 1979, Marius Cornelis Nijhoff (his nephew) and Kuper take over the management. Nijhoff is the last Barends family member to serve on the board. Despite the severe economic downturn of the 1980s, the company continues to invest in stable, flexible multi-purpose vessels.

Handelskade Oost

The company outgrows its existing office. A modern headquarters rises along the port of Delfzijl, overlooking the water. Terminal Delfzijl adds large insulated storage facilities in the outer harbor adjacent to the new headquarters. The 5000-series is launched.

ISO 9002 · ISM

First quality (ISO 9002) and safety certifications obtained for the entire fleet. The motto: ‘say what you do, do what you say, prove the above.’ By January 2000, all vessels under management are ISM certified.

Deepwater terminal

The Deepwater Terminal Delfzijl becomes operational. The 2000-series enters service, multi-purpose, box-shaped, and ready for project cargo.

Spliethoff

Spliethoff’s Bevrachtingskantoor B.V. becomes the majority shareholder. International reach, local character. A three-member board (financial, technical, and terminal) replaces the sole directorship following Makkinje’s retirement.

ISPS

All vessels under management achieve ISPS certification, which was implemented worldwide on 1 July 2004 in the wake of events including the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Eemshaven · 150 years

150th anniversary. Terminal Eemshaven is completed; in the spring of 2008, Queen Beatrix officially opens the new harbor basin, where Wijnne Barends Logistics simultaneously opens its newest location.

Lady prefix

During DelfSail 2009, the complete rebranding is launched: all vessels are given the ‘Lady’ prefix, and Terminal Delfzijl becomes Wijnne Barends Logistics. Between 2009 and 2011, eight ships are launched in Wenling, China, laying the foundation for the later Lady H-series.

New Sea River class

Four new Sea-River vessels launch a new short-sea class, featuring sailing captains as shareholders, a career path from seafarer to shipowner. The series expands to 12 vessels in 2015–2016, with some configurable as Open Top for project cargo. All vessels under management achieve MLC certification.

AEO

Wijnne Barends achieves AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification for customs simplifications and cross-border security compliance.

Lady H

Expansion of the ICE class and larger tonnage class. Replacement and expansion of the 1A ICE-class vessels ensures year-round deployment in winter waters.

Lady M · LNG

Four 5,800-ton Lady M-vessels, 115 meters, dual-fuel, LNG-powered. The first dry-bulk short-sea vessels in Europe to run on LNG. ‘Wijnne Barends will partake actively with everything the future will bring.