Unique GEZE sliding door solution in a maritime environment

At the beginning of 2024, the German shipping company SFK (Schlepp- und Fahrgesellschafft Kiel) put its fourth hybrid ferry, the "Laboe", into service in Kiel. The vessel, which serves as a pedestrian and bicycle ferry with capacity for 300 pedestrians and 40 bicycles, was constructed in just 12 months at the Holland Shipyards Group shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam. GEZE developed and installed five special VTM linear sliding doors that ensure accessibility and barrier-free access on the ship even under the toughest conditions.

Holland Shipyards Laboe - GEZE Benelux

GEZE linear sliding door on Laboe ferry. © Hystrix fotografie

GEZE supplied and installed five automatic linear sliding doors on behalf of the Holland Shipyards Group: two Slimdrive VTM models and three VTM 300 models. These doors are the only automatic linear sliding doors that are suitable and certified for use on seagoing vessels. On the one hand, because the control and software are designed to withstand the fluctuations of ships, and on the other hand, because the doors are completely moisture and corrosion-resistant. The bespoke linear sliding doors, with appropriate safety solutions, ensure the desired passenger flow without compromising security or comfort on the ferry.

GEZE linear sliding door on Laboe ferry

Benelux - project Laboe Holland Shipyards

Laboe project (Holland Shipyards) © Hystrix fotografie

GEZE sliding door on Laboe ferry - Holland Shipyards

GEZE linear sliding door on Laboe ferry – Holland Shipyards © Hystrix fotografie

Due to the environmental factors to which the Laboe is exposed daily on the Baltic Sea, the doors are equipped with a range of specific functions approved for shipbuilding. Most of the door electronics are housed in special cabinets that are integrated into the walls on the inside of the ship, preventing exposure to the elements. The remaining electronic components, which must be installed directly on the door, are sealed, providing additional protection against maritime and climatic influences. The track rollers and bearings of the doors are also protected against salt and other influences.

Waterproof stainless steel switches were chosen for the activation of the opening and closing of the doors. The GC 339 sensors with side field protection ensure that the doors always open safely and, for example, do not open if there are people or objects in the opening field of the linear sliding door. This ensures user security in accordance with standard EN 16005.
Security must be ensured even when the ship is in motion. This means that the door is in a hold-open function position (open or closed) when the ship's movements exceed a certain level. This functionality will be suspended in the event of a disaster. The motor in the drive unit also acts as a brake.

Slimdrive: the perfect solution when space is limited

Due to the limited height available, the Slimdrive VTM was chosen for the front side of the Laboe. With a height of only 7 centimetres, the slim drive unit of the Slimdrive VTM is the perfect solution for situations where space is limited.

Customer testimonials

GEZE sliding doors on Laboe ferry - Holland Shipyards

Two linear sliding doors on the Laboe ferry, built by Holland Shipyards © Hystrix fotografie

At Holland Shipyards Group, Rens Gerritsen is the project manager responsible for the construction and delivery of the Laboe to SFK. Due to its function, he opted for GEZE solutions after extensive preliminary investigations. We were looking for a top-quality solution. The conditions on our ships require a robust and reliable solution. In addition to the high number of opening and closing moments, ships are naturally also exposed to external influences such as weather, salt water and the associated potential for corrosion. Based on our requirements and previous experience, we came into contact with GEZE. They accompanied us from start to finish, from the initial design to the installation and delivery of the doors.

We zochten naar een oplossing van a-kwaliteit. De omstandigheden op onze schepen vergen een oplossing die robuust en betrouwbaar is. Naast het hoge aantal open- en sluitmomenten heb je bij schepen natuurlijk te maken met externe invloeden zoals het weer, zout water en de mogelijke corrosie die dat met zich meebrengt. Op basis van onze wensen en eerdere ervaringen zijn we met GEZE in contact gekomen. Zij hebben ons van A tot Z begeleid; van het eerste ontwerp tot en met de installatie en oplevering van de deuren.

Rens Gerritsen, Project Manager at Holland Shipyards

Sustainable shipping

The Laboe is named after the town from which the ship transports hundreds of passengers across the German fjords of the Baltic Sea every day. The ferry is a so-called "plug-in hybrid" and has a partially electric motor. The ferry thus contributes to SFK's goal of operating its entire fleet in a climate-friendly manner.

Press information

For editorial questions:

Hanenberg, Remco
GEZE Benelux

Tel.: +3140 262 90 80

E-mail: r.hanenberg@geze.com