Damen Shipyards News

Damen Shipyards Group has launched an Island Class ferry for Canada’s BC Ferries at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.The launch follows another key moment in October when the yard undertook the grand block assembly of Island Class 10. Both vessels form part of an order for four ferries, following the earlier deliveries of Island Class vessels 1-6 between 2019 and 2021.The four ferries currently under construction are based on the Damen 8117 (E3) Electric Ferry design. Damen is constructing the vessels to be fully electric-ready.

On November 25, 2025, at the Offshore Energy Conference in Amsterdam, Windcat signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for a new Multi-Purpose Accommodation Support Vessel (MP-ASV), with the option of five additional vessels of this type. To be known as the Innovation Series, the vessels will combine a large open deck with a subsea crane with fuel efficient operations and comfortable, high-quality accommodation for personnel working in the offshore energy sector for extended periods.

Windcat, part of CMB.TECH, has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards to build a new Multi-Purpose Accommodation Support Vessel (MP-ASV), with options for five additional units.To be known as the Innovation Series, the new class of offshore support vessels will combine a large open deck, subsea crane capability and fuel-efficient operations with accommodation for personnel working offshore for extended periods.Construction of the first MP-ASV is scheduled to begin in February 2026 at Damen’s Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam, with delivery planned for 2028.

Damen Shipyards Group has announced the successful delivery of four advanced dredging component packages for Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs). These vessels, which are being constructed at different shipyards in Central America, where two of them have already successfully undergone various dredge trials and have been accepted by the customer, while the remaining two are expected to be finished in 2026. The TSHDs are equipped with a dredge package designed and manufactured by Damen.

Damen Shipyards Group unveiled the latest platform in its cargo vessels portfolio: the Combi Freighter (CF) 5000 ICE, the first in a new series of ice class cargo vessels.“Our aim has been to leverage the experience and the success we’ve enjoyed with our next generation cargo vessels to create a platform capable of economic ice navigation," said Remko Bouma, Commercial Director of Damen Cargo Vessels. "The CF 5000 is equally at home in open water and in ice, maintaining both the optimal cargo capacity and high efficiency of the conventional vessel.

On October 7, Damen Shipyards Group delivered its latest Combi Freighter (CF) 3850 to family owned German shipping company Reederei Gerdes. The delivery of the vessel, named Holger G, took place during a ceremony at the Bason Shipyard in Vietnam. The vessel is named Holger G. Damen’s CF 3850 represents the latest generation in the shipbuilder’s cargo vessel portfolio. The vessel design has been optimized for modern operations and features optimal efficiency and maximum cargo capacity.

Damen Shiprepair Brest has just marked the conclusion of its 50th cruise ship project since becoming part of the Damen Shipyards Group in 2012. The Brest yard, home to one of Europe’s largest docks and strategically located near the English Channel, is at the forefront of sustainable change delivering green refits for cruise ships. Through its work, the yard enables customers to benefit from enhanced efficiency, reduced emissions, and extended vessel lifespans.Recently, Damen…

Financially, 2024 was a positive year for Damen Shipyards Group. Revenue remained just above USD$3.47 billion (3 billion euros). Net profit rose from USD$49.8 million (43 million euros) to USD$67.1 million (58 million euros). The order book was filled with a record USD$6.83 billion (5.9 billion euros) in new orders, rising to USD$12 billion (10.4 billion euros). In 2024, Damen delivered no fewer than 146 new vessels to clients. This included the Volta 1 and the Bu Tinah. The former is Europe's first fully electric tug, which has been put into service by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium.

On October 23, Damen Shipyards Group delivered an ASD Tug 2111 to WUZ Port and Maritime Services in the Port of Rotterdam. The vessel Argo is the eighth Damen tug to set sail in the WUZ Port and Maritime Services fleet. The company is growing its fleet in order to support the development of the Port of Gdansk, Poland. As a result of this expansion over the years the company has become Poland’s largest towage company and now operates eighteen vessels and a range of different Damen tug models.The ASD 2111 is one of the latest models in Damen’s Compact Tugs series.

Zeabuz announced the launch of its defense and security autonomy platform, unveiled together with Damen Shipyards Group during the Damen Maritime Festival.As part of this launch, Zeabuz has integrated its autonomy system on the ZeaFalcon, a 7-meter Damen HDPE Uncrewed Surface Vessel optimized for defense and security applications. The system comprises a full suite of operational capabilities including autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, remote command and control, autodocking, and connectivity-denied operations.

Portland Port in Dorset, UK celebrated the twin christening of two new vessels. Dignitaries and guests watched the christening of the Wyke Castle tug and the Silverwell pilot boat on the Dorset port’s Dock Jetty before an demonstration of the vessels’ capabilities.The multi-million-pound investment in the new boats for Portland Harbor Authority comes as the port continues to grow. It follows the opening of a USD$35.4m (£26m) new deepwater berth in 2023.Portland Port chairman Christopher Langham was joined for the naming ceremony by the Naval Regional Commander for Wales…

The Dominican Navy has received its second 85’ x 19.5’ welded aluminum Near Coastal Patrol Vessel (NCPV), built by Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark.Christened ARCTURUS CG-114 in keeping with the Dominican tradition of naming military vessels after constellations and celestial bodies, the new patrol craft was built at Metal Shark’s Franklin, Louisiana shipyard and officially incorporated into the Dominican Navy during a ceremony at the Port of Sans Soucí on August 31st.

On 27 August, Damen Shipyards Group launched the latest Island Class ferry for Canada’s BC Ferries. The vessel is the second of four Island Class vessels currently under construction at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. Once operational, the ferries will provide low emission services connecting coastal communities along the coast of British Columbia.When delivered, the ferry will be the eighth Island Class vessel that Damen has built for BC Ferries. The Island Class is based…

Offshore crew transfer company Windcat has taken delivery of the Windcat Rotterdam, the first Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) in its new Elevation Series, developed with Damen Shipyards and CMB.TECH.Built at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam, the 89-metre vessel marks a milestone in the company’s expansion from crew transfer operations into larger offshore service capabilities. The Windcat Rotterdam can accommodate up to 120 people and is designed to support construction…

Cat Pushes Forward on Hybrid Electric Solutions, Alternative FuelsAs the maritime industry continues its transformation driven by decarbonization mandates, OEMs like Caterpillar are central to paving the path. Will Watson, Marine Product Manager, Caterpillar, discusses latest efforts by the company to unlock the potential with hybrid electric and alternative fuel solutions.Key Takeaways to Caterpillar Marine’s Hybrid Propulsion•Hybrid Propulsion Systems: Diesel + battery solutions…

Damen Shipyards Group has selected Corvus Energy to supply energy storage systems (ESS) for four new, fully electric capable passenger car ferries currently under construction as part of BC Ferries’ fleet of Island Class vessels.The ferries are scheduled for delivery by 2027 and will expand BC Ferries’ existing fleet of six hybrid diesel-electric Island Class ferries.The new ferries are electric-ready with the ability to operate on fully electric power, utilizing renewable shore power for battery charging.The new vessels are planned to serve routes between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island…

Dutch prosecutors said on Friday they had summoned shipbuilder Damen Shipyards on suspicion of violating EU sanctions against Russia and opened a separate case against the company and some of its executives for corruption.The company denied both sets of accusations.

Damen Shipyards Group has announced the introduction of a new range of naval support vessels, set to improve replenishment and logistical capabilities.The Logistics Support Ship (LSS) series will play an important role in extending the operational reach of naval forces, enabling sustained deployment and enhancing logistical support capabilities.The LSS range consists of two vessel types, the LSS 9000 and LSS 11000, 127 and 140 meters in length, respectively.Damen has designed the vessels to meet the diverse needs of the modern navy.

A series of advanced selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems has been installed on Van Oord’s cable-laying vessel (CLV) Nexus by Damen Shipyards Group in an effort to further reduce emissions.Five SCR units have been installed on the Nexus, one for each engine.SCR is an advanced emissions control technology. It contains a catalytic converter behind the engine which reduces nitrogen (NOx) emissions to an absolute minimum.It works by a catalyst which reacts with injected urea, chemically removing NOx from the vessel’s exhaust emissions.

Schottel has been awarded a contract to supply propellers and thruster for a Multi-Purpose Support Ship (MPSS) being built by Damen for the Portuguese Navy.For the main propulsion, Schottel will deliver two electrically powered EcoPeller type SRE 560 azimuth thrusters with an input power of 2,600 kW eachTo enhance maneuverability and DP capabilities, the newbuild will be equipped with a SCHOTTEL TransverseThruster type STT 3 FP (800 kW).With this thruster configuration, the 107-metre long and 20-meter-wide ship will reach a free sailing speed of 15.5 knots…

Damen Shipyards has delivered Germany’s first, all-electric catamaran (E-Kat) ferry to its operator AG Reederei Norden-Frisia.Capable of taking up to 150 passengers, the vessel will operate between Norddeich and Norderney on the East Frisian Wadden Sea.The 32-metre E-Kat has been designed to operate on a 30-minute route with 28 minutes allowed at each end to disembark and embark passengers.Built at Damen shipyards in Poland and the Netherlands, the vessel is driven by two propellers…

The first cutter suction dredger to be built in Azerbaijan, Damen Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 650, is progressing according to schedule, with a planned delivery later in 2025.Baku Shipyard is building the CSD 650, with the design of the dredger and its materials package delivered by Damen Shipyards Group.The dredger, which will be ready later this year, will be operated by the Port of Baku, a transport hub on the western shore of the Caspian Sea.Named Engineer Soltan Kazimov…

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Port Otago and its partner Napier Port for the delivery of a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) 1000.At nearly 60 meters in length, the dredger has a maximum hopper volume of 1000m3 with twin azimuth thrusters and bow thruster to ensure appropriate maneuverability in the long entrance to Port Chalmers and Dunedin.The TSHD will arrive in New Zealand with a Green Passport under the IMO rules, after the completion of construction at Shipyard 189 in Haiphong in Vietnam.Set for delivery in 2027…