Damen Begins Construction of Second Facility at Antalya Shipyard

Posted by Josh Keefe March 4, 2015

From left to right: Ron Keller, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Turkey, Zübeyde Solak, Head of Department for the Ministry of Economy Directorate of Free Zones, Kommer Damen, Chairman of Damen Shipyards Group, and Auke Van Der Zee, Damen Shipyards Antalya, General Manager.

Damen Shipyards has refurbished a second 12,000 square meter shed at its Antalya, Turkey shipyard for the production of the Damen Fast Crew Supplier 5009, the company announced today.

Antalya II will be dedicated to the construction of Damen’s 50-meter FCS 5009. The hulls and superstructures are built in steel and aluminum by a nearby subcontractor, and the fitting out takes place in Antalya II. Four 5009s are now under construction and the facility will produce 6 to 8 finished vessels a year when fully operational, the company said.

Since it reopened as a Damen shipyard after being acquired from Vitters in 2013, the Antalya facility has transitioned from custom yacht building to become a serial constructor of high speed workboats up to 40 meters in length. Today Damen Antalya builds the FCS 1605, Stan Patrol 2205 and Interceptor 1102 models, as well as the Damen Water Bus. The yard currently employs around 125 staff with another 60 working offsite on the 5009 hulls and superstructures. The total number will grow as Antalya II reaches its full capacity.

The Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide.

The original Antalya I is also undergoing an upgrade in 2015, with 90% of the composite work moving to the vacuum infusion process. The final 10%, representing the most complex structures, will continue to be built using hand lamination techniques.

“Damen Shipyards Turkey is the group’s only facility on the Mediterranean,” said Damen Shipyards Antalya managing director Auke van de Zee. “And we are fortunate in having an experienced and highly skilled production team capable of delivering top quality vessels. Our selection as the yard to take on additional production of the FCS 5009 is testament to our efficiency and the quality of our people.”