A pontoon sits at the meeting point between people, vessels and the water. While that role is common to all pontoons, the requirements of each can be very different. A rowing club needs easy access close to water level; large yachts and working vessels call for a different approach to berthing, loading and pontoon deck height. For marina operators planning refurbishment, reconfiguration or a new development, understanding those requirements is an important starting point. Walcon Marine is responding through continuing product development, supported by its ability to design, manufacture and install systems.
Experience that informs the specification
Founded in 1963, Walcon began as a construction business before moving into marine infrastructure. It remains family-owned and is led by James Walters. From its base on England's south coast, the company has delivered more than 100,000 berths across over 30 countries, working on projects ranging from private pontoons to complete marina developments.
Steel and aluminium pontoon systems remain central to the business, supported by an in-house design and technical team, fabrication and fitting-out facilities, and specialist installation technicians. That combination allows the team to consider how a system will be manufactured and installed while its design is being developed.
Investment in delivery equipment has developed alongside the product range. Walcon operates its own self-propelled installation barges, supported by a transport barge and two road-transportable barges that can be mobilised around the UK. These resources give the team practical options when planning work at sites with different access, piling and installation requirements.
Experience of a broad range of locations, conditions and environmental constraints helps the team assess the vessel mix, boarding arrangements, loads and maintenance needs at an early stage. It also helps establish how the proposed infrastructure can be delivered and installed within the constraints of the site.
Developing pontoons for different users
Two recent developments illustrate how Walcon is responding to different requirements at the water's edge.
In 2025, the company developed an aluminium pontoon with a low freeboard of 150 mm, intended for rowing, kayaking, paddleboarding and other leisure activities where easy access to the water is important. Bringing the deck closer to the craft being used is a practical consideration for clubs and operators planning facilities for these activities.
During 2026, Walcon has been developing a new heavy-duty pontoon for applications including wind-farm crew-transfer vessels and superyachts. The proposed range spans freeboards from 0.75 metres to more than 1.3 metres, allowing the team to consider the deck height alongside the vessels and berthing requirements of a particular installation.
The two developments address different uses, but both begin with understanding the relationship between the vessel, the pontoon and the person using it. A higher freeboard is useful in some settings; access close to the water is the priority in others. Walcon's role is to work through those requirements with the client and develop the appropriate system for the site.
Engineering expertise supported by local delivery
For Walcon, working internationally also means understanding how its systems fit the requirements of individual markets and projects. Its relationship with W2 Support, established back in 2017, combines Walcon's engineering and manufacturing experience with an established local distributor and partner in the Benelux market.
The collaboration has supported large marina projects, bespoke private pontoons and other installations. Walcon's design team works alongside W2 on project requirements, bringing together knowledge of the systems and their local application. W2's growth and move into larger premises have expanded the scale and range of projects the partnership can support.
A current example is the marina redevelopment at Roerdelta in Roermond, the Netherlands. The project will provide berthing for around 550 boats and uses Walcon's System 21 pontoons. W2 is working with Ploegam on the wider project, with completion expected in spring 2027.
The marina forms part of a wider waterfront redevelopment, with the harbour also contributing to flood protection. Walcon’s role covers the detailed design, fabrication and equipment supply, whilst W2's role covers the assembly and installation. The project comprises over 460 pontoon units and requires in excess of 175 detailed design and fabrication drawings all of which will be supplied in-house by Walcon to ensure the project fits within the project parameters. For Walcon, the scheme demonstrates how its in-house teams and systems can support a local partner's work on a major waterfront development.
Other projects demonstrate the range of installations supported by the partnership. At Terschelling, Walcon supplied a 60-metre Walcon floating jetty with a steel structure for W2 to install along with tubular piles. At Sint-Annaland, the completed marina works included System 2000 finger pontoons with hardwood decking. In another upcoming project, Walcon will supply the pontoon frames and fender, and W2 will supply and fit the GRP mesh decking before completing the installation works. These projects show how Walcon's systems are being used in different harbour and marina settings through the local partnership.
Continuing the conversation
Metstrade is a welcome opportunity for Walcon and W2 Support to reconnect with customers and partners, share recent developments and hear about forthcoming projects. For Walcon, those discussions inform the work that follows, whether that involves reviewing a marina layout, exploring a specialist berthing requirement or developing an initial idea into a specification.
Drawing on more than six decades of experience, the company continues to invest in the products, people and equipment needed to turn those plans into working infrastructure. Marina owners and operators considering their next project can explore Walcon's work and contact the team at www.walconmarine.com.
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