Kortmann succeeds Enrico Theuns, who has led the Waalwijk-based shipyard since 2023 through a planned transition period following the retirement of founder Wim van der Valk. Theuns will remain involved over the coming months to support the handover.
Leadership Change Follows Founder Retirement
Theuns joined Van der Valk with a defined three-year brief to guide the company through a period of organizational change, ownership transition, and expansion in the superyacht market. His tenure included the retirement of Wim van der Valk in April 2024, as well as continued growth in the yard’s 30-meter-plus segment.
During his tenure, the company continued to develop, strengthened its market position and prepared for its next phase. We sincerely thank Enrico for his valuable contribution and wish him every success in this next chapter of his life.”
The shipyard’s shareholders thanked Theuns for his leadership, saying he had joined the company with “a clear mission” and helped prepare Van der Valk for its next phase. Theuns said the role had been a rewarding experience, adding that he was proud of what the company had achieved with its employees, clients, co-makers, and partners.
Management Team Set for Next Phase
Kortmann joins Technical Director Bram Kooltjes and Commercial Director Yoeri Bijker in Van der Valk’s senior management team. He arrives from Balk Shipyard, where he became CEO after first joining as Chief Commercial Officer in 2022.
His appointment comes as Van der Valk continues to define itself around fully custom yachts between 200 and 500GT, a segment that gives owners extensive design freedom while remaining below the scale of larger northern European superyacht yards.
“Van der Valk Shipyard has built a strong international reputation for delivering high-quality custom yachts,” Kortmann said. “Our focus on fully custom yachts between 200 and 500GT allows owners to create a yacht that reflects their individual requirements, while benefiting from the experience and craftsmanship of our team.”
A Yard Moving Further Into Custom Superyachts
Founded in 1967, Van der Valk Shipyard has long specialized in premium custom and semi-custom motor yachts from around 25 to 45 meters. Its recent activity shows a clear move toward larger, more complex projects, with owner-led layouts, bespoke engineering, and increasingly ambitious volume targets. That shift has been visible across the past year. The 36m Jangada was delivered in April 2026 as the third Van der Valk motor yacht for a returning owner, while the 40m Shine followed as the yard’s largest delivery to date.
Shine, delivered after sea trials earlier this year, was designed by Cristiano Gatto Design with naval architecture by Diana Yacht Design. The 370GT aluminum yacht reaches a reported top speed of 24 knots and carries up to 10 guests across five cabins. Her heavily customized interior, large beach club arrangement, and fast-displacement hull underline the yard’s current focus on performance, volume, and owner-specific detail.
Jangada took a different approach. Built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, the 36m yacht was developed around long-term family cruising for a repeat client. Her layout prioritizes onboard comfort, acoustic refinement, and extended use rather than charter-driven efficiency.
Current Order Book Points to Larger Builds
According to YachtBuyer MarketWatch, the largest yacht database in the world, Van der Valk currently has three yachts in its order book: Project May, Project Berlin, and Project ZEN.
Leading the order book is Project ZEN, a 47.83m aluminum yacht due in 2028. Designed by Guido de Groot and Van Oossanen Naval Architects, she will become the yard’s flagship, offering long-range capability of around 4,400 nautical miles, a gross tonnage of 499GT, accommodation for 12 guests, and wellness-focused spaces including a full-beam gym and yoga suite.
Project May (2026) is a 33.1m aluminum semi-displacement yacht by Guido de Groot with Diana Yacht Design naval architecture, for 10 guests and a 23-knot top speed. Project Berlin (2027) is a 30.85m raised pilothouse yacht with an asymmetric layout, large windows, a sundeck spa pool, and a sub-24m load line for regulatory flexibility.
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Kortmann’s arrival gives Van der Valk a new leadership structure at a pivotal point in the yard’s history. The company has moved beyond the founder-led period, delivered its largest yacht to date, and continues to develop projects that sit at the upper end of its traditional size range.
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