Damen Shipyards Group - Experts & Thought Leaders

In a ceremony in Rauma, Finland, Damen Shipyards Group and Kongsberg Maritime celebrated the delivery of the 1500th Kongsberg azimuth thruster to Damen, in a relationship spanning more than 40 years. This latest delivery continues the supply of azimuth thrusters for Damen’s wide range of tug designs, operating for its customers in ports across the world. Thruster number 1500 is one of a pair that will be installed on a Damen ASD Tug 2813, currently under construction at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. Azimuth thruster technology Speaking at the event, Ville Rimpilä, Senior Vice President of Thrusters at Kongsberg Maritime said, "Today marks a special milestone in our long, collaborative relationship with Damen, one of the world’s leading and most innovative tug builders." He adds, "Our azimuth thruster technology is a critical part of global shipping operations, offering high thrust and efficiency to tug owners worldwide." Efficient, safe, and sustainable future Ville Rimpilä continues, "To have reached 1500 thrusters is a testament to the trust which Damen places in Kongsberg Maritime, matched by the pride, dedication, and focus on quality, that goes into every single thruster we supply." He further states, "I express my sincere gratitude to the team at Damen and look forward to continuing this long relationship as together we drive the efficient, safe, and sustainable future of the global tug sector." Quality and capability Martin de Bruijn, Managing Director of Damen Workboats, said, "At Damen, we take a long-term view in all that we do. You can see this in the long-standing relationships we enjoy with our clients, and with partners such as Kongsberg." He adds, "The continual evolution of our products is dependent on such partnerships and their products. As such, we fully appreciate the quality and capability that Kongsberg helps bring to our tugs." Cost-effective solutions Martin de Bruijn continues, "We are also grateful for their strong client focus and the way Kongsberg supports Damen's operational excellence initiatives, resulting in shorter lead times and optimised processes. These are crucial factors in the development of high-standard, cost-effective solutions relevant to our clients’ needs." He further states, "This collaborative approach has never been as important as it is today, as we fix our sights on optimising the safe and sustainable performance of our vessels. We look forward to our continued cooperation in the years ahead and the delivery of the next 1500 thrusters!"

Econowind, a globally renowned innovator in Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion technologies for the maritime industry, announces the appointment of Chiel de Leeuw as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective December 1, 2024. Chiel will play a key role in advancing Econowind's mission to revolutionise maritime sustainability and expand the company’s impact in the global shipping industry.  Chiel de Leeuw Chiel de Leeuw brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the maritime sector. He has previously served as Commercial Director at Oceanco, a globally renowned builder of luxury yachts. Before Oceanco, he held the position of Sales Director at Damen Shipyards Group, one of the world’s largest and most respected shipbuilding companies.   New responsibilities Chiel will be instrumental in driving Econowind’s commercial strategy and further expanding its global footprint In his new role as CCO, Chiel will be instrumental in driving Econowind’s commercial strategy and further expanding its global footprint. His extensive experience in sales, business development, and strategic partnerships is key to advancing Econowind’s mission to revolutionise the maritime industry with sustainable and cost-effective wind-assist technologies.  Green maritime operations "We are thrilled to welcome Chiel to the Econowind leadership team," said Frank Nieuwenhuis, CEO of Econowind. He adds, "His deep industry expertise and commercial acumen make him the perfect fit to lead our commercial efforts as we continue to scale our innovative solutions and support the maritime industry’s transition to greener operations. Shipping companies reap the highest wind yield per square metre in the industry with our VentoFoils."  Driving wind momentum for sustainable shipping ​ Commenting on his appointment, Chiel de Leeuw said, "I am excited to join Econowind at this pivotal moment in the company’s journey. The maritime sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and I look forward to contributing to Econowind’s vision of making shipping more sustainable." He adds, "It is inspiring to see shipping companies increasingly implementing Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion systems on their vessels. I am convinced it will become the norm in the industry."  Larger VentoFoils for deep sea markets ​ Chiel’s appointment comes as Econowind accelerates its commitment to delivering innovative solutions that help shipowners and operators reduce fuel consumption and emissions, aligning with global decarbonisation goals. Building on the success of the 16-metre suction wing sails, Econowind is now developing larger VentoFoils measuring between 24 and 30 metres, demonstrating its dedication to scaling impact.

With the support of RWE, the Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck, has installed its offshore floating solar (OFPV) project, Merganser. The pilot project aims to test and demonstrate the structural, mooring, and electrical designs and acquire knowledge about manufacturing, assembly, offshore installation, and maintenance methodologies required for large-scale commercial deployment of OFPV.  Merganser Merganser has a capacity of 0.5 megawatt peak (MWp) and is located in the Dutch North Sea, approximately 12 kilometres off the coast of Scheveningen. The scalable concept consists of six interconnected platforms that withstand extreme offshore conditions.  The floating platforms were successfully connected to the mooring system at a water depth of 20 metres. RWE will continue to provide its offshore know-how and technical support to the pilot project.  Renewable energy Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, “Standalone or also in combination with offshore wind farms, offshore floating solar could open up further offshore renewable energy opportunities, especially for countries with lower average wind speeds but lots of sunlight." "With Merganser, we are gaining unique insights and first-hand experience in one of the most challenging offshore environments in the world.”  Semi-submersible floating structure SolarDuck's triangular-shaped platform is designed to float several metres above the water, following the waves Taking solar farms offshore requires technology that can withstand rough offshore conditions. SolarDuck's triangular-shaped platform is designed to float several metres above the water, following the waves like a carpet.  In this way, the design keeps critical components dry, clean, and stable and secures the structural integrity of the semi-submersible floating structure. The design received recently the world’s first certification for OFPV by Bureau Veritas.  Offshore floating solar Koen Burgers, CEO of SolarDuck, “The successful installation of Merganser is proof of the dedication of SolarDuck’s team to electrify the world with offshore floating solar. However, we are not doing this alone." "Our project partner, RWE, is a supporter of our technology and vision, in addition to other partners such as TNO, TU Delft, MARIN, and Deltares. Together with numerous supply chain partners, including Damen Shipyards, TMA, and Norsk Hydro, we have turned hard work into a positive change for the energy space.”  Monitoring campaign The combination of RWE's global market position in offshore wind and SolarDuck's technological ingenuity set the perfect base for accelerating the deployment of OFPV. Over the coming two years, Merganser will be monitored remotely with its more than 180 sensors fitted to monitor structural loads, connector and mooring loads, and electrical performance, among other important performance criteria. Further to the above, Deltares - a Dutch independent institute for applied research - will support an extensive monitoring campaign on the ecological impact of OFPV.