Shipyard Wout Liezen Closes After 237 Years

After 237 years, this summer marks the definitive closure of Shipyard Wout Liezen in Meppel, the city’s oldest company. The shutdown brings an important chapter in the region’s maritime history to an end.

In July 2025, the very last vessel left the slipway at Shipyard Wout Liezen, closing a tradition that spanned more than two centuries. Located in Meppel, the yard held a prominent position in shipbuilding and repair and played a significant role for many years in the regional economy and maritime industry.

According to regional broadcaster RTV Drenthe, owner Wout Liezen expressed that while the closure is a sad moment, “you cannot stand in the way of progress.” The decision follows years of structural change in the shipbuilding sector, where modern developments and efficiency requirements have increasingly reshaped the industry.

For more background information and the official news coverage, please see the original report by RTV Drenthe: RTV Drenthe – Oldest company in Meppel closes: the end of Shipyard Wout Liezen.