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SHIPBUILDING“We see opportunities globally, that’s ournature and way of doing business … Weknow our place in the offshore market,and because we also know what we wantand what we’re capable of, we will”moveup in a gradual and modest way.Jan van Os,Offshore Director, DamenLooking OffshoreDamen currently collects just 10 percent of its $1.8 billionannual turnover from its offshore division, but with severalnew offerings catering to the offshore sector, that seems likelyto change. That’s because the company has launched severalnew offshore designs in recent years, ranging from PlatformSupply Vessels, Construction Support Vessels and Fast CrewSuppliers to Offshore Carriers and Heavy Lift Vessels.And just as with tugs and other workboats, Damen upholdsits worldwide approach; the company’s increased offshoreproduction is not limited to region. “We see opportunitiesglobally, that’s our nature and way of doing business,” van Ossaid. “However, there are some marked opportunities in SouthAmerica, Western Europe and Scandinavia, a few North Africancountries, South Africa (where we have Damen Shipyards CapeTown and a Service Hub), Australia and Singapore.” And, becauseDamen often partners with other builders to supply designmodels, the opportunities available to the Netherlands-basedbusiness probably exceed that which is immediately evident.Damen’s plans for a steady growth and development in theoffshore sector incorporate “more advanced technologicalniches,” van Os said, but still maintain a standardized productionapproach. “You’ll probably see us moving from PSVsfor simple transport/supply jobs etc., via lighter/undersideof-marketOSVs/OCVs and via rather serious AHTSs andFIRMs, to more high-end OSVs/OCVs, subsea support/constructionvessels etc.—but all in good time.” He adds, “Weknow our place in the offshore market, and because we alsoknow what we want and what we’re capable of, we will moveup in a gradual and modest way,” van Os continued, emphasizing“quality for clients first.”A major point of focus for Damen’s offshore series is itsPSV 3300, the first of which, World Diamond, was built inDamen’s Galati yard and delivered in June 2013 as part ofa six-vessel order from Norwegian company World WideSupply (WWS). The 3300, one of five Platform Supply Vesselofferings from Damen, features long, more efficient hullshape, diesel electric propulsion, dynamic positioning (DP2)capabilities and increased crew comfort amenities. The fifthPSV for WWS, World Opal, was delivered in November. Fourof the PSV 3300s secured long term contracts for Petrobras,while the remaining two are expected to operate in the NorthSea under the spot charter market.Opportunity is Blowin’ in the WindDamen has also made strides in offshore wind, bringing standardizationto a specialty market that desperately needs it – andwith good results. Damen delivered 25 FCS 2610 twin axe catamaransin 25 months and is currently building them for stocksas orders continue to come in. With the success of the 2610,Damen is now producing a smaller version, the FCS 2008. Ina market categorized by specialty, Damen is essentially creatingvessels that can be standardized, yet fit in with other vesselranges or even other markets. “We have high hopes for the44 I Maritime Professional I 4Q 2013