With 16 repair and conversion yards dotted across the planet, Damen is – according to Jan Kees Pilaar, commercial director of offshore and conversion of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion – able to handle all kinds of projects.
Formerly a managing director at Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, Pilaar has extensive knowledge of the repair and conversion market, and is relishing the opportunity to work with a global organisation.
“We stand out because of our people, facilities and our knowledge of the business,” he says. “All of our yards have definite specialisms. Certain yards specialise in LNG or cruise for example, while others are more focused on offshore. We have such vast experience and knowledge in the group, and it is something I feel really helps us stand out from the competition.”
Pilaar says that by delivering the ‘Damen Experience’, the group is able to secure repeat customers and meet their needs on an ongoing basis.
“Whenever a customer comes to us they will recognise the way we work,” he explains. “We have the highest quality standards and safety levels. We share a lot of knowledge within the group, and identify the best offering from within the group for each of our clients.”
On the conversion side, the group has just secured a deal to convert a French ship to dual-fuel LNG, a project which will take place at Damen’s yard in either Dunkerque or Brest.
“We will be taking out all the equipment, and putting in LNG tanks and engines,” Pilaar says. “The ship will be prepared for the future, as it’s a European subsidised project that we won against several other yards. It’s a project to be proud of, and shows off our knowledge of ship repair and conversion. We are at a stage where we can easily combine repair with newbuild elements in our work.”
This point is pertinent, as Pilaar says newbuild and repair are two different worlds, but something Damen will be able to merge in this project. “I think that’s a major strength,” he says. “We are a real team.”
One thing that has impressed Pilaar since he joined Damen is the company’s entrepreneurial spirit.
“Damen is driven by a culture of identifying and going after chances,” he explains. “We’re busy with our Offshore and Conversion XL group, which is looking to bring in big projects – be that repair or newbuild work. We wanted to create a group within the company to identify opportunities.
By gaining one-off projects, the Offshore and Conversion XL group look to make proposals to customers and ultimately garner more business.
Pilaar concludes: “One of the aims is to make Damen an even bigger player in the cruise and ferry market.”