The German company Mate@Sea and the Danish Søby Værft have been awarded a contract to repair three boats belonging to the Kieler Lotsenbrüderschaft (Kiel Pilots’ Association).
The company Mate@Sea, which is also based in Kiel and specializes in technical services, and its long-standing partner Søby Værft were awarded the contract in October last year. As part of the project, three pilot transfer vessels belonging to the operator Lotsenbetriebsverein for the Kieler Lotsenbrüderschaft NOK II will be completely overhauled. The work is being carried out as part of the scheduled class yard times and the associated comprehensive maintenance and modernization measures.
The contract includes the repair, maintenance and partial system renewal of the pilot transfer vessels, which are in daily use in the Kiel Fjord and neighboring waters. The aim is to ensure the operational readiness, safety and energy efficiency of the vehicles in the long term.
The repairs will be carried out in close coordination with the management and the inspection department of Lotsenbetriebsverein e.V., Kiel branch, and should be completed by spring 2026. Work on the first pilot transfer vessel “Laboe” was already carried out in 2025; the vessel is now back in pilot transfer service on the Kiel Fjord. The shipyard work is taking place in Søby on the Danish island of Ærø.
The successful project award underlines the growing importance of cross-border cooperation in the maritime sector and sends a strong signal for the future of German-Danish cooperation, comments Mate@Sea on the order.
