Damen awarded cruise repair contract
Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion) has been awarded a cruise repair and maintenance contract from MSC Cruises. Built in 2010, the MSC Magnifica is 293 m long and has a capacity for more than 2,500 passengers. She arrived in Rotterdam on October 20 and is berthed at the yard’s largest drydock, which is 307 m in length. The timescale is tight, with the ship expected to stay for 18 days. The scope includes extensive steelwork, cleaning, painting and replacement piping, as well as the entire renewal of the rudder system, the company said in its press release.
Khalil Benjelloul, Cruise Vessels Product Manager of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, said the Group is delighted to welcome such a magnificent cruise vessel to Rotterdam and explains that the project is certainly a challenge given the timeframe. “During the drydocking the 700-strong crew will largely stay on the vessel and they have to be able to carry out their normal activities safely, so it is quite a logistical operation. At the same time, there could be up to 300 of our workers and subcontractors dealing with the project.”
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 15 repair and conversion yards worldwide, most of which are based around the North Sea. “Rotterdam was the preferred yard because it offers the large capacity needed and additionally, the MSC Magnifica will sail straight on to Hamburg, where she picks up her passengers for her next cruise.
“Every hour is needed to get the vessel ready on time. For the cruise industry, getting the job done within the deadline is crucial. We cannot have thousands of passengers waiting. We are honoured that MSC Cruises has shown such faith in Damen Shiprepair & Conversion and trusts us to deliver what we promised.”
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 ship- and repair yards, employing 8.000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5.000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers approx. 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 value 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 super yachts.
For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of Services, such as maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. To complete, Damen offers a variety of marine components, especially nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 15 repair & conversion yards worldwide, with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DS&C handles 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.
