Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has announced a reorganisation at three Dutch yards within its group. Staff members of Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (DSR), Damen Shiprepair Van Brink (DSVB) and Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSVl) were informed that the overall number of staff will be reduced by approximately 150 employees. Unfortunately, DSC has been forced to take these measures due to continued adverse market conditions.

Large-scale market fluctuations are common for the ship repair sector – within which the Damen Shipyards Group has been active for over 40 years. The strategy of DSC focuses on diversification as well as developing new product/market combinations. However, the oil and gas market has decreased in such a way that has left DSC unable to fill the void with other activities.

Changing market situations force Damen Shiprepair & Conversion to review strategy

The market expectations for the short and medium term are not positive. There is no recovery in sight for commodity prices in general and oil and gas prices in particular and the resulting reduction in ship repair projects forces DSC to review its situation. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of this, is downsizing the number of permanent staff in all layers of the organisation, as well as reducing facility costs.

The strategy of DSC towards the future remains focused on expansion and further diversification of its product range, where it will continue to offer solutions matching the changing requirements of customers and markets. All employees at the three locations, as well as the workers’ council and trade unions, have been informed about the intention to reorganise. It is the intention of DSC to complete the reorganisation before summer 2017. DSC will continue to offer all customers the high levels of service and quality they are used to receiving at DSC yards. DSC is convinced that, as a result of these measures, it will reinforce, and where possible even extend, its position within the worldwide ship repair market.

Damen Shipyards Group

Damen Shipyards Group operates 33 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.

Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.

Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.

For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.

In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 16 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.

Source: Damen