Based in the strategic port area of IJmuiden, Wals Diving & Marine Service functions as a specialized maritime contractor dedicated to underwater maintenance, repair, and inspection. With a corporate history spanning more than twenty-five years, the company was established by Cor Wals, who leveraged extensive experience from naval diving to build a service-oriented firm for the commercial shipping and civil engineering sectors. The organization operates heavily within the North Sea Canal region, encompassing the busy ports of Amsterdam and IJmuiden, where it provides twenty-four-hour support for vessels requiring immediate underwater intervention.
The company’s core maritime operations revolve around ensuring vessel seaworthiness and optimizing propulsion efficiency without the disruption of dry-docking. Teams of certified commercial divers execute critical maintenance tasks such as propeller polishing and hull cleaning, specific interventions designed to reduce drag and significantly improve fuel economy for both sea-going and inland ships. Beyond routine maintenance, the firm conducts comprehensive underwater surveys, including UWILD (Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Dry-docking) assessments. These inspections, often required by classification societies, allow shipowners to verify hull integrity and stern gear condition through high-definition video footage and detailed diver reports, ensuring regulatory compliance while the vessel remains afloat.
In addition to ship-centric services, Wals Diving & Marine Service plays a vital role in maintaining the wet infrastructure that supports maritime trade. The company actively collaborates with civil contractors and government bodies to inspect and repair essential structures such as locks, sluices, quays, and bridges. Projects often involve complex tasks like underwater welding, cutting, and the technical examination of wooden foundation piles. To execute these varied assignments, the company utilizes a fleet of mobile dive support units and specialized surface assets, including a hybrid inshore diving vessel engineered for emission-free operations in urban waterways.
The operational scope also covers salvage assistance and emergency technical repairs, where divers are deployed to seal hull leaks, replace valves, or remove debris entangled in propulsion systems. By combining traditional diving craftsmanship with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and in-house developed tooling, Wals Diving & Marine Service maintains a steady presence in the Dutch maritime industry, ensuring the continuous operation of fleets and port facilities alike.
