Queen Máxima christens Easymax vessels ‘Maxima’ and ‘Alexia’ during Delfsail

After a word of welcome and speech by CEO Egbert Vuursteen, Queen Máxima performed the world’s first name giving and christening ceremony by drone. By pushing a button this drone flew to shipyard Niestern Sander a mile ahead, where the Easymax vessel is nearing completion, and christened yard number 853 ‘Alexia’.

Queen Máxima continued with the christening of her ‘own’ vessel. For this special event, the vessel ‘Máxima’ was moored along the terminal of shipyard Royal Niestern Sander in Wagenborg’s home port Delfzijl. After the name giving and christening ceremony 42 dancers carrying a flag representing all present countries gave a spectacular dance performance.

Her Majesty Queen Máxima spoke to the contractors, who build both Easymax vessels, various domestic and foreign guest who are closely involved with Wagenborg and the offspring of shareholders, who shared their ideas about a sustainable future. During a tour by boat through the port Queen Máxima met various captains of the tall ships.

During the programme, Wagenborg looked back on 126 years of Wagenborg with all attendees and casts a glance at the future of the family company. The Easymax ships play a prominent role in this future. Wagenborg is therefore particularly proud Queen Máxima was its guest of honour during Delfsail.

Egbert Vuursteen, CEO Royal Wagenborg: “In 1995, we had the christening of ‘Kroonborg’ by then Crown Prince Willem Alexander. In 2009, then Queen Beatrix christened our ‘Beatrix’ and now Her Majesty the Queen Máxima was our guest of honour during Delfsail. I am delighted that she wanted to christen no fewer than two vessels!”

The Easymax is the latest ice-strengthened vessel type with unmatched fuel efficiency performance. Today, with the lowest CO2 footprint per tonne of cargo carried, the Easymax series leads the global Energy Efficiency Design Index. The ship has the traditional Wagenborg red-grey colours, but she could have been all green!