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Damen is staffing its new engineering center in Helsinki

Seadream Innovation
Damen Engineering Helsinki is already working on the group’s first cruise newbuild, Seadream Innovation, designed to Polar Class 6 standard
Damen Shipyards Group has established its first presence in Finland. The Helsinki office has been set up to take advantage of the depth of engineering expertise that exists in the country.

This follows the group’s entry into building large vessels for the ro-pax, cruise and offshore markets via its new Romania facility, Damen Shipyards Mangalia. The Helsinki office will augment and extend Damen’s engineering capability in this market segment.

Why Finland?

Finland was selected because, along with Italy, Germany and France, it is one of the world-leading countries in the design and building of cruise and ro-pax vessels, in combination with expertise in ice-class ships, a growing segment of the cruise market.

Helsinki also has excellent connections to Poland and the Netherlands, allowing for optimal collaboration between the Damen engineering entities situated in Gdansk and Rotterdam.

Initial target of around 30 employees

Damen Engineering Helsinki Oy will focus on concept and basic engineering with an initial target of around 30 people to be based there by the end of 2020, working in close cooperation with their colleagues within Damen.

The office is also intended as a showcase for Damen in Finland, welcoming both customers and suppliers, and it will seek collaboration with local, specialized maritime engineering entities. With that in mind, much effort went into finding the right premises. A recently renovated building has been selected in a central Helsinki location. The area is transforming from a former industrial harbor and fish market and offers excellent commuting connections and a pleasant work environment for employees, according to Damen.

Cruise and ro-ro projects to start

'We are now focused on building the team,' said Damen’s engineering manager, Frank Rebel, 'and we already have two projects to start with: a cruise vessel and a ro-ro vessel. Members of Damen’s Helsinki team will have the opportunity to add real value to these and other projects in the future. We look forward to welcoming them into the Damen family.'