Damen Shipyards Group and the Senegalese Government have formed a joint venture (JV) to operate Damen Ship repair Dakar on the West African coast. The Senegalese Government is represented by the Société des Infrastructures de Réparation Navale (SIRN). Together, they will offer a comprehensive range of ship repair and maintenance services.
Long-term ambitions
The shipyard has significant historical value, and is one of the few repair facilities of its size in the region. Its strategic location will enable Damen to provide support to both existing and new clients operating in the area.
These include the many companies supporting the area’s offshore energy industry in the coming years. In addition to providing ship repair services, Damen has the long-term ambition to restore newbuilding activities at the shipyard.
The yard boasts a 191 x 25 metre drydock, 235 x 38 metre floating dock, a 63 x 15 metre synchrolift with a lifting capacity of 1,200 tonnes with four cradles, as well as 500 metres of quayside with a draught of 9 metres. It provides employment for over 300 personnel, as well as numerous subcontractors.
Babacar Faye, Managing Director of SIRN, said, “This joint venture with Damen marks a key step in revitalising Dakar Shipyard, supporting sustainable growth, skills transfer, the upgrading of technical capabilities, and long‑term value for Senegal’s economy and workforce.”
High safety standards
Damen’s first priority in its new role as operator is to bring the yard into alignment with the rest of its shipyards, in terms of Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality processes and procedures, IT landscape integration and HR management.
Jeroen Heesters, Managing Director of Damen Shiprepair, said, “We are very excited to begin this joint venture. The Dakar Shipyard is very well positioned to support our clients in the coming years. The yard enjoys an excellent reputation and benefits from extensive experience and knowledge generated over decades of operation.
“From the outset, we intend to develop those capabilities, committing ourselves to a considerable Capital Expenditure investment programme. This will provide the infrastructure required to bring the yard into line with our other repair yards around the world. It will also enable us to attain the high levels of safe practice demanded by the offshore energy industry.”
Investing in people
Damen Regional Director Africa Frederick Vandepitte added, “We are honoured to take on this exciting challenge and are looking forward to this collaboration with the Senegalese Government, and with other partners and suppliers locally. As is Damen’s practice wherever we operate in the world, we will be focusing on building sustainable ship repair capabilities. This includes the opening of a local training centre. With this, we will further develop the already high level of skills at the yard, and help to create additional employment opportunities in the region.”
The JV partners are already welcoming their first clients to the Dakar yard.
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