Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has taken over the management of the Curaçao Droogdok Maatschappij (CDM) as of February 1st, 2017, some five months after Damen Shipyards Group and the government of Curaçao agreed on the transaction.
The company said that the yard, located on the route to the Panama Canal, will continue its activities under the name of Damen Shiprepair Curaçao (DSCu).
The yard features two graven docks and almost 2 kilometres of quay side. In the coming years Damen is set to invest around USD 40 million in a third floating dock and the yard’s infrastructure and equipment.
“The cooperation between Damen, the Curaçao government, local trade unions and the personnel of the yard has been very pleasant during the period of negotiations and transfer of ownership. We are very much looking forward to continuing this collaboration in the future. It is excellent to see the enthusiasm of all parties to make this yard such a success,” Durk-Jan Nederlof, Group Director Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, said.
Furthermore, the company said that it will, together with the Curaçao government, invest in training and schooling of local technical personnel.
Damen Shiprepair Curaçao is part of the Damen Shiprepair & Conversion group, which currently operates 42 dry docks in 16 shipyards worldwide.