Damen Group acquires CDM

According to a statement, the location will continue its activities under the name Damen Shiprepair Curacao (DSCu).

The commencement of Damen Shiprepair Cura?ao was celebrated on February 2nd at the yard in the presence of all staff as well as parties involved during the negotiation period. The Damen Shiprepair & Conversion group currently operates 42 drydocks in 16 shipyards worldwide.

The company said in a statement that the move to Curacao allows it to expand its ship repair activities across the Trans-Atlantic Ocean. It adds that the yard is strategically located on the route to the Panama Canal, is outside the Hurricane Belt and offers excellent working conditions within a natural bay. In addition, the statement said that since Cura?ao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, smooth logistic connections and fast import of required materials are guaranteed.

According to the company, the facility boasts two graven docks or drydocks and almost two kilometres of quayside. In a statement, Damen said that in the coming years it will invest approximately U.S.

$40 million in a third floating dock and the yard’s infrastructure and equipment. A new management team, led by Jaap de Lange as Managing Director, has been appointed and is already on site to introduce and implement Damen working methods and standards.

In addition, Damen, together with the Cura?ao Government, will invest in training and schooling of local technical personnel, ensuring the development of local skills, further developing the local industry and encouraging employment opportunities in the area Durk-Jan Nederlof, Group Director Damen Shiprepair & Conversion said, “The cooperation between Damen, the Cura?ao Government, local trade unions and the personnel of the yard has been very pleasant during the period of negotiations and transfer of ownership. We are very much looking forward to continuing this collaboration in the future. It is excellent to see the enthusiasm of all parties to make this yard such a success”.