Roland Briene News

The Dutch Ministry of Defence, Damen, and Thales have signed the contract for the design, construction, and delivery of four Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Frigates; two for the Netherlands and two for Belgium, focused on anti-submarine warfare.The agreement was signed on HNLMS Karel Doorman, the Royal Netherlands Navy's largest ship, by the Dutch Defence State Secretary Christophe van der Maat, Damen Shipyards Group CEO Arnout Damen, Damen Naval Managing Director Roland Briene…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group and Australian-based Gentium Solutions have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Industry of Bangladesh, seeking to establish and develop shipbuilding and ship repair industry in Bangladesh."The aim is to build ships in Bangladesh, for Bangladesh, with a long-term view of serving export markets. The partners in the MoU will undertake a number of tasks in this direction," said a press release from the Netherlands-headquartered shipbuilding giant that operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards.First amongst the tasks will be the establishment of a shipbuilding and repair facility built to globally recognized environmental and building standards.

Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) has selected Taylor Bros of Tasmania to supply two high powered Antarctic landing barges for Australia’s new icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina. Damen is building the vessel at its yard, Damen Shipyards Galati, in Romania for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). The vessel will be operated by DMS Maritime, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco, and is an integral part of the AAD’s research program in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The signing ceremony was attended by the Tasmanian Minister for State Growth, Mr.

Construction of Australia's new Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) has taken an important step forward with an official keel laying ceremony carried out at Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania. Damen is building the ASRV for Serco Defence on behalf of the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy. Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in the Netherlands is responsible for engineering and project management, and Damen Shipyards Galati will perform vessel construction and outfitting. The ice-breaking ASRV is a multi-mission vessel that has been designed to undertake a variety of roles.

Australian Maritime Systems Group is entering into a joint venture with one of Europe’s leading marine technology companies as part of a tender for Australia’s next giant defence contract. The Brisbane-based company is partnering with Dutch firm Alewijnse Marine to support the Damen Group’s bid to build the next generation of 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Australian Navy. The vessels will be mainly constructed in Adelaide and Perth, but AMSG’s involvement would generate highly-skilled and long-term electrical engineering jobs for the Queensland-based company.

Damen Shipyards Group has sent a high level delegation to meet with key members of the Australian shipbuilding industry, signifying its commitment to the SEA 1180 Program. With an eye on maximizing local industry content and ensuring long-term Australian jobs, the aim of the visit was to strengthen business relationships borne out of the Damen Industry Briefings held earlier this year, the shipbuilder said. The delegation forms an integral part of Damen’s tender for the design and construction of 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Royal Australian Navy.

Completing her maiden voyage, the Damen Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel (MATV) MV Sycamore arrived in Sydney harbor early on Monday morning. The 94-meter-long vessel is now less than a month away from deployment as a versatile multi-role vessel and helicopter training platform for the Royal Australian Navy. “It is definitely an impressive sight to see the Sycamore enter Sydney harbor,” said Damen Sales Director Asia Pacific Roland Briene. “The MATV project really highlights what can be achieved with this joint team effort.

Damen Shipyards Group recently visited Adelaide to further consolidate their partnership with ASC Shipbuilding and Forgacs Marine and Defence (Forgacs) (ASC Forgacs Shipbuilding) to build twelve Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Australian Navy and to explore domestic and export opportunities for both the commercial and naval markets. Roland Briene, Damen’s Area Director Asia Pacific, also highlighted two important milestones for Damen in Australia: the 5th anniversary of Damen’s Australian company, Damen Services Brisbane, and the intention to establish a second long-term service hub in support of the SEA 1180 program. Damen, as one of the three designers competing for the OPV program, is fully committed to consolidating their commitment to Australia.

The Royal Australian Navy’s new Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel (MATV) MV Sycamore has passed sea trials. Following final vessel handover from builder Damen Shipyards Group, MV Sycamore will perform diverse training and support duties. In addition to the more traditional elements of sea trials such as maneuvering and speed tests, the MV Sycamore was put through her paces with an extensive testing program of all on-board military systems, including testing of the air traffic radar…

The Australian Government has signed a deal with DMS Maritime, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco, for the delivery, operation and maintenance of an Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) with icebreaking capabilities. The vessel, to be built by the Damen Shipyards Group, will form an integral part of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) program in the coming years. The April 28 signing ceremony in Hobart Tasmania was attended by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julia Bishop and Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt.

Two months post-contract signing, Australia’s Bhagwan Marine received the delivery of Damen ASD 2310. The tug, named Bhagwan Pride, will begin her duties with operations at an LNG development near the Barrow Island Marine Park, off the Australian West Coast. The Damen ASD 2310 is a mainstay of coastal and harbour towing and push-pull operations. The Bhagwan Pride has an ahead bollard pull of 48.7 ton and 46.5 ton astern – the total output of 3,000bkW provided by two Caterpillar 3512C TA engines. She will be mobilized for towing barges loaded with equipment.

The company's Brisbane hub, aimed to serve Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, will provide warranty services, maintenance, training and spare parts, having been recently opened by the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Captain Kasper Kuiper. The new facility will handle all warranty or maintenance issues and offer training courses, as well having a spare parts store onsite. Roland Briene, Damen Area Director Asia Pacific, says: “We are really pleased to have established a full Service Hub in Australia from which to serve our many clients in the region.

An 11-vessel order for DMS Maritime Pty Limited culminated recently with a Rescue Gear Ship 9316, which will be used to support the Royal Australian Navy’s submarine fleet. Damen Shipyards and DMS Maritime signed the contract for the RGS 9316 on November 16 in Sydney, Australia. The vessel will be built at a Damen yard in Vietnam and is due to be delivered in 2016. Having built a similar vessel, the SD Victoria for Serco UK supporting the Royal Navy, the RGS 9316 is based on a proven Damen concept.