Royal Balk Shipyard appoints Niels Lensen as Sales Director
Royal Balk Shipyard is pleased to announce the appointment of Niels Lensen as its new Sales Director, effective 1 July 2026.
Niels Lensen will be responsible for all commercial activities at Royal Balk Shipyard and is the new primary point of contact for yacht refits, ReCrafts, or class surveys. He brings more than three decades of experience across the full breadth of yacht services, including brokerage, new construction, surveys, management, charter, maintenance and refit, in both the Netherlands and the Mediterranean.
In 2015, Lensen founded NL Marine, a boutique brokerage house operating between the Netherlands and the French Côte d’Azur. Prior to NL Marine, he held sales directorships for Jongert and Lengers Yachts France, a dealership for leading brands such as Ferretti Group and Zeelander Yachts.
“Royal Balk Shipyard has long set the standard for serious refit and ReCraftTM work in the Netherlands, and I am honoured to be joining the team,” says Lensen. “The craftsmanship, the facilities in Urk, the calibre of projects that come through the yard are a compelling combination. I very much look forward to working with clients who share that same passion for doing things properly.”
His appointment comes at a time of increasing demand for complex refit and ReCrafts, and his expertise, international network and deep understanding of the owner journey will strengthen Royal Balk Shipyard’s commercial presence across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and North America. He will help drive the yard’s continued focus on large-scale transformations of high-quality motor and sailing yachts from 30 to 65 metres.
ReCraftTM refers to Royal Balk Shipyard registered trademark and reflects the art of transforming an existing yacht through extensive refit, redesign, and technical upgrades, restoring it to a condition that rivals or even surpasses new-build standards.
Royal Balk Shipyard consistently attracted yachts of exceptional pedigree and major ReCrafts, among them are the award-nominated ReCraft of the 30.36-metre Ursus, the transformation of the highly sought-after classic 50.4-metre Feadship, Emerald, and several high-end sailing yachts.
Lensen will be available alongside the Royal Balk Shipyard team at the Cannes Yachting Festival, Monaco Yacht Show, Metstrade, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and Palm Beach International Boat Show.
