Shipbuilding: Damen's New Journey

Maritime Logistics Professional

Damen embarks on a new voyage with cruise newbuilding

The cruise market is experiencing a period of success. The segment has been growing by around 6.7 percent annually for some time now and with strong growth for seen in some markets – notably China – the potential for the industry is considerable. In 2017 alone, some 26 million people embarked on a cruise vacation. Industry trade group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says that this trend is likely to continue, well into the future.

 
There is rising demand for expedition cruise vessels; a market segment that Damen has developed a design for already, as well as forming partnerships with industry specialists. The company’s successful SeaXplorer adventure yacht positions this global shipbuilder well to serve this market. Beyond this, Damen has formed a partnership with Expedition Voyage Consultants (EVC) to ensure clients and their passengers of the best possible experience in expedition cruising. EVC provides cruise line executives, investors and operators with expert advice on planning and operating all aspects of an expedition. 
 
According to Andrea Trevisan, Damen’s Senior vice President of Sales & Marketing, Cruise Newbuilding, the firm’s journey into the cruise world is a logical step. The group has engineering and operational experience on complex projects, for instance in the naval and offshore arenas, which serve as strong references to its considerable. Trevisan told MLPro in February, “We are very enthusiastic about supporting our clients with the tools they need to fulfill the dreams of their guests. Providing safe, environmentally conscious and thoroughly enjoyable ships, our offer represents the optimal cruising experience to exciting destinations all over the world.”
 
Since the introduction of the modular shipbuilding concept, Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels via more than 30 global shipyard locations. Today, Damen Shipyards Group operates in many shipbuilding sectors. With a global workforce numbering more than 9,000, Damen builds a wide variety of standard hulls for stock at dedicated shipyards in strategic locations. Production capacity is up to 180 vessels per year. Damen does more than build ships – it also has an international network of lifecycle support services that includes maintenance and repair and conversion facilities.
 
Notably, superyacht builder Amels, part of the Damen Shipyards Group, has extensive experience in building luxury yachts; a testimony to the comfort Damen can provide passengers. Denmark-based naval architect KNUD E. HANSEN is a member of the Damen Shipyards Group as well as being recognized as one of the leading cruise design specialists in the world. KNUD E. HANSEN has been responsible for iconic designs such as the Phoenix World City – a design which played a pivotal role in defining the cruise industry in the 1990s. 
 
And with Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) – already experienced and well located – Damen is able to provide support to cruise operators throughout the entire lifecycle of a vessel. DSC has 16 yards located all over the world, including in the Caribbean and on the Atlantic coast close to turnaround port Southampton. All of this combined with Damen’s family values, long-term vision and a commitment to working with passion, pride and quality, means that clients can take confidence in Damen as a reliable partner. 
 
 
(As published in the January/February 2018 edition of Maritime Logistics Professional)
Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine, page 16, Jan/Feb 2018

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