News Release: AkzoNobel begins restoration of Dutch Royal Barge

June 16, 2014

AkzoNobel has begun work on restoring the Dutch Royal Barge, de Koningssloep, through a partnership with the National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) in Amsterdam.

Experts from the company's yacht paints business are carrying out the intricate restoration - mainly on the hull - in order to have the vessel seaworthy again by the summer of 2015.

The partly gilded Royal Barge was built in 1818 for King Willem I. Around 17 meters (56ft) in length, it was last used in 1962 for the 25th wedding anniversary of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. The barge is one of the most popular items in the collection of The National Maritime Museum and with the 1 million euro donation by the players of the BankGiro Lottery the museum is able, after restoration, to display the Royal Barge again. 

"When the museum approached us for help we didn't hesitate in agreeing to assist with the restoration," said Conrad Keijzer, AkzoNobel's Executive Committee member responsible for Performance Coatings. "The Netherlands has a proud history as a seafaring nation and the Royal Barge is an iconic part of our country's heritage. We are therefore very pleased to be involved and are confident that our products and expertise will help restore the barge to its former glory."

Added Henk Dessens, Director of Collections at the National Maritime Museum: "We are delighted to be working with AkzoNobel on this prestigious project. The company has more than 100 years of experience in developing and supplying marine coatings and their help will be invaluable. The Royal Barge has a very special place in the hearts of the Dutch. We look forward to putting it back on display for everybody, thanks to the generous contribution of the BankGiro Lottery."

Work on the barge is initially taking place in the north of the Netherlands, although members of the public will be able to view some of the ongoing restoration on parts of the barge later this year at the National Maritime Museum.

---

Not for publication - for more information

Invitation
You are kindly invited to visit the Royal Barge and have a sneak preview of the restoration process on Tuesday, July 1 at 3 p.m. CET at the depot of the National Maritime Museum in Hoogwoud. During this visit both Conrad Keijzer and Henk Dessens will be present to give more information about the cooperation between AkzoNobel and the National Maritime Museum as well as the ongoing restoration activities.
If you would like to join please send us your RSVP by Monday June 23 at the latest via email to pr@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl. In the RSVP please mention your name as well as the media you represent.

About AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 50,000 people around the world are committed to delivering leading products and technologies to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing world.

About the National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum shows how the sea has influenced Dutch culture over the past centuries. In 13 exciting and interactive exhibitions the visitor will discover 500 years of maritime history.

AkzoNobel
Media Relations:
T +31 20 502 7833
Contact: Kirstin Steffen
Media.relations@akzonobel.com

National Maritime Museum
Kirsten Ruter
T: +31 6 201 78616
kruter@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl