Damen wins 2017 Dutch Logistics Award

Damen Shipyards Group has won the 2017 Dutch Logistics Award. This prestigious prize was presented by the Netherlands Association of Logistics Management (vLm) in recognition of Damen’s high standards of logistical management and efficiency, the company said in its press release.

Damen representatives received the award during an award ceremony and gala dinner hosted by vLm on 29th November.

In following its 10-step criteria for nominees, in which parameters such as innovation, customer focus, implementation and cost effectiveness are assessed, vLm’s jury first approached DAMEN regarding its operations for two separate projects.

“These involved the production of four Platform Supply Vessels (PSV), for which we used an innovative modular solution, as well as the multiple vessel shipments that we execute regularly from our Asian yards,” explains Jason Bronscheer, Damen’s Director Operations Support.

For the multiple vessel shipments from its yards in China and Vietnam, DAMEN charters a single heavy-lift vessel to transport several vessels at once. “We have transported up to 22 vessels in one go with this strategy – it is highly efficient,” he continues. “These vessels are secured in place by ship cradles, and to make the process even more efficient, we have developed reusable ship cradles. Once the vessels are unloaded, the cradles can be disassembled and returned to the construction yard in containers, ready for the next shipment.”

After Damen’s initial presentations to the jury, however, numerous additional aspects of the company’s working methods came to light. “Employee engagement is also part of the jury’s criteria, and this is a matter that we take very seriously. For example, every two years we commission an independent survey that receives feedback from all of our 9,000 personnel across 33 shipyards around the world.”

On the subject on innovation, DAMEN pays considerable attention to its Research and Development department. “We have a very future-proof way of thinking; we are utilising advances in the Internet of Things, and the fields of robot and sensor technology and automation,” he says. “In fact, we do everything to make our work processes as efficient and safe as possible.” Furthermore, DAMEN has developed a ‘vessel configurator’ as a tool for sales managers and their clients to configure a vessel with all the various options available.

Established in 1984, the Dutch Logistics Award is organised by the Netherlands Association of Logistics Management (Vereniging Logistiek Management). Previous winners include renowned industry names such as DAF Trucks, TomTom WORK, Nike, Heineken, and Philips Lighting.

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.