Damen appoints Sales Director for its new large RoPax division
Damen Shipyards Group has appointed Chiel de Leeuw to the newly-created position of Sales Director RoPax. This marks an important step in its strategy of expanding into the design and build of larger, one-off vessels in the offshore, cruise and RoPax sectors. In his new role, Chiel will be responsible for creating new business in the RoRo and RoPax markets for vessels over 120 metres in length, the company said in its press release.
The new role was created to allow an experienced individual to focus on these large, bespoke projects over the long term, and to develop a detailed understanding of the top-end of the RoRo/RoPax market. Chiel is a leading authority within DAMEN on this vessel class having successfully served as sales manager for Western Europe, a role that involved him in a wide variety of ferry projects, and he welcomes this new challenge. As Sales Director RoPax he has now become the public face of DAMEN within this sector.
Damen’s in-house research department already has the capabilities needed to develop the required EEDI and Safe Return to Port regulations, and KNUD E. HANSEN, the leading naval architecture practice that is a member of the Damen Shipyards Group, has many years’ experience in the design of such vessels up to 200 metres and more. Its track record in cruise ships and custom large offshore vessels, two other areas into which DAMEN is expanding, will also be of great value in the years ahead.
As well as design and engineering capabilities, Chiel will have all the resources and expertise of Damen’s latest acquisition, DAMEN Shipyards Mangalia in Romania, to offer the large ferry sector. With docks up to 60 metres across and one million square metres of operational space, it is now the largest shipyard in the group and has the resources and infrastructure to undertake the largest and most complex vessels
“It’s very exciting to have started out on this new role,” says Chiel. “It is a highly competitive market place, but with Damen’s exceptional human and physical assets plus a positive outlook for demand in the years ahead, I am very positive that we can bring new ideas and solutions to the sector and generate business.
“Damen Shipyards has always been active in the RoPax market,” he continues. “We have a track record of building large ferries such as the 130-metre Dokter Wagemaker road ferry constructed for Teso, and recently two, 80-metre DAMEN 8017 RoPax ferries delivered to the Provincial Government of Newfoundland on Canada’s Atlantic coast. Two 81-metre DAMEN Ferry 8117 Road Ferries are currently under construction at DAMEN Shipyards Galati for BC Ferries of British Columbia, Canada, for delivery in 2020. Besides that, two ferries with full electric propulsion, a Road Ferry 6819 and a Road Ferry 9819 (68 metres and 98 metres respectively), are also under construction for operation in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 35 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. DAMEN has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 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, winches, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen 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 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyages.
