Damen’s repair yards update ISO and OHSAS certification

Over the last month Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance has visited two yards and one sister company from DAMEN Shiprepair & Conversion’s (DSC) global network to audit their management systems, the company said in its press release. The results of the auditing processes have been successful: firstly, in the Netherlands, DAMEN Shiprepair Amsterdam and Niron Staal received ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and OHSAS 18001:2007 certifications. And secondly, in the Caribbean Sea, DAMEN Shiprepair Curaçao gained ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certification.

Lloyd’s Register visited the two Amsterdam-based companies in mid-October to complete a comprehensive assessment of management systems. The audit results showed that the management systems of both companies complied with the required standards, thus bringing them in line with the updated ISO:2015 norms.

Furthermore, the audit demonstrated that the two companies use the same management and information processes to include stakeholders at different levels. DAMEN Shiprepair Amsterdam and Niron Staal now have an entirely integrated SHEQS management system.

“This certification is the result of a team effort here at DAMEN Shiprepair Amsterdam and Niron Staal; and we are justly proud of the outcome, which is a recognition of our management systems as well as positive feedback concerning our quality, skills, insight and learning abilities,” says HSEQ Manager Harco Groen.

“The fact that it covers two separate companies – which is, in fact, a first for DAMEN Shipyards Group – is a confirmation of the synergetic relationship between DAMEN Shiprepair and Niron Staal. This is something that our clients will really be able to benefit from.”

The audit at DAMEN Shiprepair Curacao took place at the beginning of November; the scope of which comprised the quality and environmental management system concerning the provision of consistent services to customers, relevant laws and regulations in addition to Damen’s own HSE standards.

“This transition audit dealt not only with our management system for quality and environment, but it also showed that any subcontractor work, as well as suppliers, carried out on behalf of the yard is incorporated within the scope of our management system,” states Olivier Boot, Manager HSEQ at DAMEN Shiprepair Curacao.

“This broad scope of compliance with the new ISO standards shows that we maintain and, where possible, improve customer satisfaction by continually improving the quality of the services.”

Talking about the relevance of the certifications to ship owners and operators, DSC Quality and Process Manager Coenraad Tool adds: “We operate a worldwide network of 16 repair yards. Therefore it is of absolute importance our clients receive the same attention to quality and service whatever yard they dock at. After all, our aim is to unburden the client wherever necessary,” he says.

“And while we strive for standardisation, which can bring substantial benefits to our clients, we still have the flexibility required to meet the demands of the repair, refit and conversion market,” he continues. “Joint efforts by HSEQ representatives of all DSC companies, which commenced during the spring of 2016, have made these successful transitions possible.”



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.

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of sixteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating and (covered) drydocks, the largest of which is 420 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,350 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.