Marasi Magazine Issue 35

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Kommer Damen
Chairman of Damen Shipyards
Damen Shipyards Group; the story of an
industry game changer
Kommer Damen, Chairman of Damen Shipyards unveils the secret to the company’s globally established success
By Effat Mostafa
A life time of family heritage has
been instilled in the fundamentals of
the Damen Shipyards Group since its
inception in 1927. After starting with
a single yard, the company has risen
to global prominence with a total of
36 shipyards worldwide. “The group
was initially established by my father
and uncle, in a shed next to the family
home, on the banks of the Merwede
River in Hardinxveld, the Netherlands,”
Kommer Damen, Chairman
of Damen Shipyards explained. The
early days saw the development of
the company’s reputation for listening
closely to its clients and effectively
incorporating their feedback. This ultimately
resulted in strong vessels, fit
for purpose, and has since been the
approach that the company firmly implements.
Innovative Leadership
The Damen Group is built with
strong assets of qualified and efficient
staff and crew. Damen himself had a
navy background before he joined the
company. “I started working for the
family business as general manager
when I was 23 – just after I finished
my national service in the navy. Growing
up in a family of shipbuilders, with
our house at the yard, the thought of
pursuing a different career path never
crossed my mind,” Damen said.
Now 91 years young, Damen Shipyards
has seen a huge expansion since
these early days. The Middle East and
UAE has always been a very important
customer base. Since the 1980s
Damen Shipyards has sold over 800
Vessels in the GCC and 350 in UAE
alone. Most of these vessels are still
in service in many segments of the
marine industry. Driven by innovation,
quality and listening to its customers
this company has been consistently
led by leaders who have been determined
to diligently strive for new levels
of excellence.
In the UAE, Albwardy Damen is a
JV between Damen Shipyards and
Albwardy Investment. Albwardy Da-
42 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2019