Damen signs maintenance contract with Netherlands Ministry of Defence
On 11th July, Damen Shipyards Den Helder signed a midlife upkeep (MLU) contract with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. With this contract, support ship HNLMS Pelikaan, along with hydrographic survey vessels HNLMS Snellius and HNLMS Luymes, all of the Royal Netherlands Navy, are heading to Damen Shipyards Den Helder for an extensive maintenance and modernization programme.
The scope of work that the Damen yard will perform will include equipping the vessels with new hull plating, renewal of radars and communications equipment and maintenance of the ship’s systems, along with regular maintenance.
In its implementation and provision of engineering for this project, Damen is supported by around 30 renowned Dutch suppliers and sub-contractors. Damen will begin work on the project later this year and expects to complete it in 2021. Work will be distributed between Damen Shipyards Den Helder and Damen Shiprepair Harlingen.
The Royal Netherlands Navy uses the hydrographic survey vessels to chart the sea bottom. The Hydrographic Service uses this information, amongst other things, to produce nautical charts and other navigational publications. Damen will replace all the vessels’ underwater sensors to enable the vessels to perform their tasks efficiently in the coming years.
HNLMS Pelikaan is the logistic support ship of the Royal Netherlands Navy in the Caribbean. She is used for transportation and emergency assistance, playing a role, for example, after Hurricane Irma in 2017. This will be the first time the vessel returns to the Netherlands since her commissioning in 2006.
Gorinchem, Netherlands headquartered Damen Shipyards Group (established in 1927) incorporates 54 companies worldwide (24 in the Netherlands and 28 — around the world). The Group has 36 owned shipyards (25 based in the Netherlands and 29 — across the world), numerous partner yards, 5 engineering and other companies (13). Damen employs 12,000 people worldwide (3,500 — in the Netherlands), including 1,000 engineers. In total, Damen Shipyards Group has built 6,500 vessels and in 2018 delivered 176 ships. Damen specializes in building tugs, workboats, patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, offshore support vessels, oil-spill response vessels, frigates and mega yachts. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, especially nozzles, (flap-type) rudders, steering gear, anchors, anchor chains and steel works. Besides, the Company provides efficient customer support, financing and complete lifecycle service. In 2018 turnover of the Group reached EUR 2.0 billion.
