Damen Shipyards Group and the government of Curaçao signed a concession agreement for the future operation of the current Curaçao Drydock Company on September 9.
Under the agreement, Damen will establish a new company on Curaçao under the name Damen Shiprepair Curaçao and bring in extra capacity in the shape of a floating dock.
The operations in the two graven docks and on the available quays are expected to launch end October 2016.
Furthermore, the parties agreed that a total of USD 40 million will be invested in the infrastructure and training facilities for personnel.
The facilities of Damen Shiprepair Curaçao currently consist of two graven docks and 2.000 m of repair quays outfitted with 13 cranes.
“Whilst having a long history in building and delivering new ships to customers in the Americas this is the first step in our ambition to play a major role in shiprepair and conversion in the Caribbean area,” René H. Berkvens, CEO Damen Shipyards Group, said.
Damen Shiprepair Curaçao will become part of the Damen Shiprepair & Conversion group which currently operates 40 dry docks in 15 shipyards around the world.