Page 54: of Marine News Magazine (November 2016)

53 55

BOATBUILDING & DESIGN

From Across the

Big Pond

With familiar Faces, new partnerships and Houston of? ce, Damen widens its North American pro? le with a ? urry of new work orders.

By Kathy A. Smith ith a ? ourish and a ? urry of new business, Da- Damen’s General Manager of New Construction (North men’s new U.S.-based of? ce of? cially opened in America) hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped since.

Houston, Texas on July 1, 2016. Registered as

W

Damen Area Support North America BV Co., it has been es-

Fast Start in a Slow Market tablished to provide a local presence and work hand-in-hand

In its ? rst three months of operation, the new entity with the North American market, offering a full range of secured contracts for 27 new tugs that are planned or un- ready built, standard and custom design vessels as well as the der construction for several different customers, most no- products and services of Damen Shipyards group ‘License to tably a total of 13 heavy duty mooring assist and escort

Build’ program. In addition, the new of? ce also represents tugs for two oil projects, an impressive feat coming during the ship repair and conversion side of the group. It would a depressed gas market, and a boon for the leader whose not be overstating the obvious to say that Jan van Hogerwou, proven tug design niche continues to grow.

November 2016

MN 54

MN Nov16 Layout 50-65.indd 54 10/21/2016 3:08:44 PM