Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam, part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, has been awarded a cruise repair and maintenance contract from MSC Cruises.
The 2010-built cruise ship MSC Magnifica arrived in Rotterdam on October 20 and is berthed at the yard’s largest drydock, where the ship is expected to stay for 18 days.
The repair scope includes extensive steelwork, cleaning, painting and replacement piping, as well as the entire renewal of the rudder system.
The vessel is 293 m long and has a capacity for more than 2,500 passengers.
Khalil Benjelloul, Cruise Vessels Product Manager of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion , said 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.”
“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.”
Press Release