Purchased less than two years ago, Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque is a relatively new addition to the group’s worldwide network of ship repair and conversion yards. Originally called Arno Dunkerque, the shipyard was officially renamed Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque on September 1 this year and brings to the group nearly forty years of experience, the company said in its press release.
The change in name comes as the yard enters the final stages of its integration into the Damen Shiprepair & Conversion Group, a division of the overall Damen Group. Customers now immediately recognise that they are in a Damen facility and the full adoption of Damen quality and safety standards as well as its project management techniques is nearly complete, along with other support and management systems. The yard is well known for the wide range of commercial vessels on which it has worked. These include ferries, dredgers, reefers, offshore installations, support vessels, and tankers of all types.
The facilities and capabilities of the yard are excellent. “We have two dry docks, one floating dock and three repair berths”, says Bob Derks, the managing director of Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque. The largest dry dock can take vessels up to 295 meters in length. A modern and well equipped 22,000 m² workshop sits close by on the dockside and contains all necessary departments including steel, heavy mechanical, pipes and propellers. The yard has its own, highly competent, workforce and a network of experienced local contractors. The location of the yard is exceptionally convenient. Situated where the English Channel / La Manche meets the North Sea it is positioned at the heart of the European maritime area, and within easy reach of most Northern European naval facilities.