VCU, the Maritime Specialist

VCU supplies vessels with a variety of fishing materials such as fishing nets, chains, ropes, gas oil and lubricating oil, etc. VCU occupies a leading role within the VEVC, as well as within the SFAV (a Dutch foundation for the funding of fishery waste product management). In addition, , the VCU responded to the demand for safety courses and safety course materials in 2004/2005, and in collaboration with other cooperatives founded the VEVC Veiligheidscentrum (“VEVC Safety Centre”). The fishery industry was in choppy waters at the time – and it has remained so in recent years. Economic recession, reduced quotas, new and tightened regulations as well as increasingand continually fluctuating gas oil prices have caused fishermen both national and international to decide to give up the profession. VCU’s most important sales market – currently employing some 65 people – was becoming ever smaller. This caused VCU to decide to reposition itself early on and as such shifted its focus to also target to coastal and inland shipping, the dredging industry and industrial companies. However, our most important clientele group remains the commercial fishing industry , both national and international, with our members on top of the list.