Damen Shipyards Group joins World Ocean Council

Damen is the first European shipbuilder to join the WOC, the international business leadership alliance on ocean sustainability, science and stewardship.

By focusing on optimizing ship design and working on product innovations, Damen works to reduce environmental impacts of shipping. In addition, Damen recently formed partnerships with the Bellona Foundation, the Oslo-based institute for sustainable environmental solutions, and with the BlueTec Tidal Energy project.

Damen's designers and developers are structurally investigating possibilities to contribute to a new generation of cleaner ships. The company is identifying and developing new ways to address growing ocean challenges, such as pioneering the world's first mobile ballast water treatment vessel (InvaSave) to operate in ports and support ship deballasting operations.

Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam, part of Damen Shipyards Group, undertook an extensive repair and refurbishment as well as scheduled class survey for Saga Cruises' Saga Sapphire in December 2014.Arnout Damen, chief commercial officer, stated, 'Vessels are a common and fundamental aspect of all ocean industries. Many of the impacts to the marine environment can and must be addressed through improved vessel development and operations. Through the World Ocean Council, Damen can better work with the diverse ocean business community to identify and develop the innovative designs and products needed to tackle these issues – creating business opportunities and business solutions in support of cleaner seas.'