However, Damen's cruise newbuilding ambitions remain 'very strong' on its own under the dedicated 'Damen Cruise' brand, he added.
New center of cruise shipbuilding excellence
The company is setting up its new large facilities at Damen Shipyards Mangalia, Romania, where it has had operational control since last July, to become a center of cruise shipbuilding excellence, including the complete outfitting of cruise ships with leading industry suppliers.
First cruise contact inked
'We are very proud to have sealed in February the first cruise contract in our 91-year history. The contract is for an innovative luxury expedition cruise ship, construction of which will be fully executed by Damen. At the moment we cannot disclose the owner, but we expect to send out an official release within the next four weeks,' Trevisan said.
'We are offering new European capacity, which the cruise industry currently needs, and a long-term proposition to our clients with our dedicated global cruise maintenance and upgrade services. These services are experiencing an unprecedented success in cruise repair and conversion bookings at our yards.'
Backed by Damen Group's strength in financing large projects
Trevisan added that Damen's global cruise proposition is being supported by the Damen Group corporate experience and strength in financing large projects with AAA European institutions, 'which is of crucial importance to succeed in this kind of cruise project.'
As earlier reported, Fincantieri and Genova Industrie Navali—the holding company consisting of Genoa shipyards, T. Mariotti and San Giorgio del Porto—have reached a cooperation agreement covering areas ranging from newbuildings, to ship repair, conversions and outfitting.
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