1880
Einte also thought he could earn a good living there and since 1889 has sailed the coastal waters from Gasselternijveen with his own sea tjalk ‘Vier Gebroeders’.
1900
1910

In 1913 Hendrik has his first ship ‘Roelfina I’ built which is named after his wife.
This two-masted sail logger was built in Stadskanaal just before the First World War and had a loading capacity of 220 tons. With vessel made voyages to amongst others Scotland and Norway.
1920

In 1923 Hendrik buys the ‘Roelfina II’, a sail logger with a load capacity of 200 tons. Now he became a “reder”, because he had interests in the ‘Vier Gebroeders’, the ‘Roelfina I’ and the ‘Roelfina II’.
Little future was seen in sailing and that is why the ‘Roelfina II’ was equipped with a two-cylinder Kromhout engine in 1927.
1930

In 1930 Hendrik retired and was succeeded by his sons Einte and Roelof. Roelof became the owner of the ‘Avanti’ (a former sailing clipper) in 1932. This vessel was sold, after which a new ‘Avanti’ was built by the Bodewes yard in Hoogezand. Meanwhile, Hendrik had the coaster ‘Holland’ built at Sanders in Delfzijl, equipped with a 135 hp Brons. Einte becomes the skipper of the ‘Holland’.
In 1939 Roelof became ill and, with the threat of war, he decided to accept a position ashore at the mutual insurance company ‘Friese Maatschappij’. He settled with his family in Heerenveen. In the meantime, he continued to represent the interests of the family’s vessels.
1945
While the ‘Wota’ was anchored off Denmark, she was struck. The insurance company declared the ship a total loss.
1950

From the insurance benefit of the ‘Wota’, the new ‘Wota’ was built in a yard in Haarlem.
Later on, a new ‘Holland’ was also built.
Roelof and his sons, Hendrik, Piet, and Rudi, managed the vessels of the Holwerda family and of third parties. In addition, they supervised the construction of new vessels and mediated in the purchase and sale of vessel in short sea shipping.
1960

To expand the fleet, the ‘Roelof Holwerda’ was built and later also the ‘Gretina Holwerda’. Both vessels had a capacity of 500 tons.
In addition to new construction, a number of second-hand vessel were also purchased, ranging from 800 to 1400 tons.
The fleet grew steadily.
With 500 tonners, they have already sailed worldwide, from Alaska to Indonesia.
1970

The fleet is further expanded with a number of new built vessels of 1500 and 3000 tons in the Barkmeyer Stroobos yard. The 3000 ton vesssels were equipped with loading gear and had an ‘Ice Class’ notation, a special feature in those days.
In addition, several second-hand vessels were bought and sold of the same size.
1980

The shipping company continues to expand and a number of vessels of 5000 tons are built at the Barkmeyer Stroobos yard.
Due to a bad market and an important charterer who did not fulfill his obligations, vessels had to be sold.
After a difficult period in the middle of 1980, Holwerda Shipmanagement was continued by Hendrik Holwerda’s sons: Rolf, Haico and Peter.
Besides transporting bulk cargo and general cargo, it was decided to widen the services by starting transporting containers.
1990

In the early 1990s, it was decided to purchase the first ship built for container transport.
Container shipping demanded high-quality ships and fits well with Holwerda’s culture. The right market fit was the reason for purchasing several additional container vessels.
2000

At the start of the new decade, Holwerda focuses further on container shipping. In the 2000s, the container feeder vessel ‘Elisabeth’ and ‘Frederika’ are built at the German yard J.J. Sietas.
2010
For several years, some of the multipurpose containers vessels are employed to transport project cargo from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Rolf Holwerda’s three sons; Henk, Han and Wessel come to work for the family business. This is the 6th generation of the Holwerda family in shipping.
2010
For several years, some of the multipurpose containers vessels are employed to transport project cargo from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Rolf Holwerda’s three sons; Henk, Han and Wessel come to work for the family business. This is the 6th generation of the Holwerda family in shipping.
2020
2022

In 2022, we ordered two eco friendly multipurpose vessels at the GS yard in Groningen. Both the new-build ‘Alma’ and ‘Alinda’ have a deadweight of 3700 tons and have an open top notation.