Seabound Engineering, a Donegal-based boatbuilder supported by the Local Enterprise Office Donegal, has won the Best Export Award at the 25th National Enterprise Awards. The awards ceremony took place at the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin. This is the third year in a row that a Donegal business has been honored at the National Enterprise Awards.
Living Green won in 2024 and Silver Strand Rope Works in 2023. All three companies are from the Inishowen area. Seabound Engineering specializes in designing and manufacturing custom aluminum boats for the aquaculture and marine industries.
The company is renowned worldwide for its innovative designs and high-quality construction. It is currently the only aluminum shipyard in Ireland with SCMS certification.
Donegal Company earns export accolade
Seabound exports vessels valued from €120,000 to €3.2 million to a growing number of industries, such as aquaculture, tourism, and search and rescue. Thomas Havlin took over the business from his father in 2019 and expanded its focus. Under Havlin’s leadership, Seabound has achieved industry firsts like building Ireland’s largest aluminum catamaran and its first amphibious vessel.
We’re incredibly proud to bring this award back to Donegal,” said Havlin. “It’s a great recognition of the skill and commitment of our team and a tribute to the strong maritime heritage of Greencastle.”
Brenda Hegarty, Head of Enterprise Donegal, congratulated Seabound Engineering on their win. “Seabound Engineering’s win at the National Enterprise Awards is a proud moment for Donegal and a shining example of the world-class innovation coming out of Inishowen,” she said.
This marks the third consecutive year a business from the peninsula has won a national award – a remarkable achievement that reflects the strength of the region’s entrepreneurial sector.
The Local Enterprise Offices were established in 2014 to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. They offer mentoring, training, expert advice, and financial assistance. Since their start, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across Ireland, working with thousands of client companies in various sectors.