Page 48 - Damen Shipyards Group

48 SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL 49
N O WA DAY S YO U HE A R A
L O T OF P E OP L E TA L K I N G
Life to the max Damen Marine Services (DMS), Damen Trading is the A L I G N S W E L L W I T H O UR
A B O U T C I R C UL A R I T Y A ND
One such example is Damen Trading. A part of
S U S TA IN AB IL I T Y. . . T H E
shipyard group’s brokerage service, specialised in the
S UB J E C T I S ONE T H AT
sale, purchase and charter of used vessels.
Unburdening with brokerage
When DMS started operations in 1974, Damen VA L UE S A S A FA MI LY
C O M PA N Y W I T H A L ON G -
Trading & Chartering followed soon after. Its role, T E R M V I E W ON T H I N G S .
back then, was to promote the sale of used vessels
from the DMS charter fleet. However, it soon
demonstrated its potential, building a strong network,
and slowly began to emerge as an independent
broker service.
You will certainly see Damen doing more and more
DA M EN T R ADING The first vessel sold by Damen Trading outside of towards this. The subject is one that aligns well with
the DMS charter fleet was the Susanne, a Polycat
our values as a family company with a long-term view
G O ES G R E E N 2000 that was bought from a Dutch operator and on things.
sold on to Angola in 1986. Susanne was the first
of over 500 vessels to date, traded to 77 countries “In fact, it’s this same long-term approach that has led
around the world. to the development of Damen Trading. In my view, we
A glance through the pages of this are already contributing to increased sustainability in
The new entity very quickly made a name for itself, the maritime industry. What we are doing is ensuring
magazine will quickly demonstrate that gaining a lot of experience, notably in tugs and that used vessels that may otherwise be sent for
workboats, but also in coasters, crew boats, patrol disposal, are getting a second life.”
Damen – and the maritime industry as a boats and passenger ferries amongst other vessels.
In many instances, in a further boost to maritime
whole – is making strides towards greater Senior sales manager Michel Radjiman: “One of the sustainability, the Damen Trading process goes
main drivers is to unburden our customers. When they further than simply extending the lifespan of a vessel.
sustainability. As Damen approached the come to us, looking for a new Damen vessel, we are
able to take care of their old vessel for them – Damen Good as new
topic with increasing focus, it quickly and non-Damen boats alike. This can contribute to “A lot of the vessels that pass through our hands, before
making a new acquisition very smooth, saving the we sell them, we upgrade them. This not only adds
became apparent that some of its customer a lot of time and energy. They don’t have to value, but, naturally, applying the latest technologies
find a buyer or worry about arranging recycling, for to existing boats advances their green credentials as
operations already had a natural example. It also helps make the investment in a new well – a lot of modern equipment is either aimed at or
vessel more cost-efficient. contributes to, greater efficiency in operation.
inclination towards sustainability.
“For anyone who operates an existing vessel and who Damen Trading has an excellent track-record in
is considering a new Damen boat, Damen Trading converting and prolonging the life of vessels that might
should be top of mind.” otherwise have been destined for the scrap yard.
Forming the circle “The examples are many and diverse. We’ve had crew
The advantages of Damen Trading go beyond the transfer vessels converted into yachts, patrol vessels
benefits of client support, however, as Michel goes on turned to security vessels. We’ve even taken patrol
to explain. vessels, considered to be at the end of their life, and
refurbished them to the extent that we were confident
“Nowadays you hear a lot of people talking about in offering them for re-sale with a one-year warranty.
circularity and sustainability – this is a good thing. I think They were like new when we finished with them.”
our industry has already made some important steps in
this direction and undoubtedly has more to offer. The road ahead
The service is only likely to get more sustainable as the
vessels it handles in turn become greener. “Right now,
we’re handling the sale of the Bis Viridis, a Damen RSD
ONE OF T HE M A I N Tug 2513. She’s not called double green for nothing.
As well as offering the extreme efficiency typical of
D R I V E R S I S T O UNB UR D E N the RSD Tug 2513, Bis Viridis is IMO Tier III compliant,
O UR C U S T O M E R S . . . courtesy of a modular conversion that can be applied
M A K I N G A N AC Q U I S I T I ON to all Damen’s new generation of tugs. (see page 26)
V E R Y S MO O T H , S AV I N G When it comes to sustainability, we’re really just getting
started and we’re looking forward to the road ahead.”
T HE C U S T O M E R A L O T OF
T IM E A ND E NE R G Y.