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Damen Naval has had a full year. At the start of 2023, in his first New Year’s speech as Managing Director, Roland Briene (pictured above) made the prediction that it would be a busy year. And this is what occurred. There were new contracts, important project milestones and a complete restructuring of the company under the banner of Time for Change.
For Roland, his first year as Managing Director of Damen Naval was challenging, hectic and educational with some very special highlights. “It was a fantastic year; not always easy, but I am having a great time in my new position. What I still get a huge boost from are the interactions with colleagues, working with clients and the ongoing and new projects.” He adds, “I have been able to experience very special highlights this year. Two are at the top of the list: signing the ASWF contract and cutting steel for the F126. For the ASWF, the best moment was when, after signing, Arnout Damen and I walked into the tent in Den Helder where all the colleagues from the ASWF project had gathered. With the F126 project, it was pressing the button that started the cutting machine and thus when the production phase officially began.”
One of the highlights of 2023 was contract for four Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates (ASWF).
Major contracts
On 29 June, the Dutch Ministry of Defence, Damen and Thales signed the contract for the design, construction and delivery of four Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates (ASWF). The 145-metre-long frigates are the replacements for the current Karel Doorman-class Multipurpose Frigates. Two frigates will be built for the Royal Netherlands Navy and two for the Belgian Navy. Since the signing of the main contract during SAIL Den Helder, several contracts have been signed with suppliers, including RH Marine, Alewijnse, ABB, Heinen & Hopman and MAN Energy Solutions.
In October, the Services Department concluded a major service contract with the Royal Moroccan Navy for the maintenance of the three SIGMA multi-mission frigates built by Damen Naval. This is the third service contract and consists of technical assistance in Morocco, docking for maintenance at a Damen yard, spare parts and crew training. The Tarik Ben Ziyad (SIGMA 10513), the Sultan Moulay Ismail and the Allal Ben Abdellah (both SIGMA 9813) were delivered between 2010 and 2012.
“There have been more highlights in the past year,” Roland says. “We completed the Midlife Update of the HNLMS Johan de Witt, the Product Development phase of PES Colombia was completed, and with the cutting of the first steel, the F126 project saw its physical start. At a time when peace and security can no longer be taken for granted, I am proud of the role we can play in European naval construction. With the work we do, we too contribute to the motto of our Royal Netherlands Navy: ‘Worldwide safety on and from the sea’.”
The signing of the ASWF contract took place during SAIL Den Helder.
Progress on the projects
After three and a half years of designs and preparations, 5 December 2023 was a significant day for the German F126 frigate project. Steel cutting began in Wolgast, Germany, for the first of the four frigates. The ships will be built entirely in Germany at shipyards in Wolgast, Kiel and Hamburg. At the Peene shipyard in Wolgast, the steelwork and pre-assembly for the stern will be done. The foreship will be built in Kiel and also assembled there with the stern. The hull will then be towed by sea to Blohm+Voss in Hamburg where final outfitting, commissioning, testing and delivery will take place.
“In 2024, we are going to pay a lot of attention to leadership and behaviour. That starts with our MT, but applies to everyone in this company.” Roland Briene
Roland (left) got to press the button that officially started the steel cutting for the F126 project.
At Vlissingen-Oost, the hull construction project for a superyacht was completed and the vessel has been handed over to Damen Yachting for the final phase of the project. The yard is also preparing for the arrival of the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder. The ship will leave the shipyard in Galați, Romania, arriving in the Netherlands in the first half of 2024.
Roland: “Because of the current situation in the region, it has been decided that the final phase will take place in the Netherlands. It is important for a shipbuilder to have a ship at the yard, so although the situation is not ideal, I am happy that the CSS is coming to the Netherlands.” The ship will be handed over to COMMIT later this year.
A design contract was signed in October 2022 with COTECMAR, the naval yard of the Colombian Navy, and the product development phase has now been completed. “We are currently negotiating and remain hopeful that a contract will be signed this year,” Roland says.
The Midlife Update of HNLMS Johan de Witt has been completed and the ship has completed its first sea trials.
Compliments for the ICT department
During his speech at the Christmas party, Roland thanked all employees for their hard work, but gave special praise to the ICT department. “As a shipbuilder, a lot of attention is paid to departments like engineering, but the ICT department also deserves recognition for the huge challenges they faced in 2023 including the implementation of 3DX. My compliments to them for their hard work because I see a lot of good things happening.”
Time for Change
ICT also had an important role to play during the company’s Time for Change restructuring. Together with the HR department and the appointed Quartermasters, they ensured that Damen Naval could start with the new detailed structure on 1 January 2024. “Our objective with Time for Change was ‘a future-proof organisation capable of delivering the expected growth in a manageable way, and where young and old, male and female, enjoy working’. That has produced a new organisational structure. It is the new reality: now we all have to make it happen,” Roland explains. “That means that in 2024 we are going to pay a lot of attention to leadership and behaviour. That starts with our MT, but applies to everyone in this company.”
A decision on the submarine programme will be made in the first half of the year.
Looking ahead to 2024
In 2024, we will continue to pay close attention to safety within our company. During the Damen Safety Day on 18 December 2023, Roland recorded a film highlighting the importance of employee safety. “And I am talking about safety in the broadest sense of the word. It’s not just about the helmet or work shoes, but also about creating a safe working atmosphere in the workplace. Feeling safe to speak your mind and to be yourself.”
On the project front, there is a lot in the pipeline. A decision on the submarine programme will be made in the first half of the year. Damen Naval is cooperating with Swedish counterpart Saab and is one of three candidates for this programme, along with parties from France and Germany. The possible successors to HNLMS Rotterdam, HNLMS Johan de Witt and the Seven Provinces-class air defence frigates (LCF) are also being looked at.
In his speech at the well-attended New Year's reception, Roland thanked all colleagues for their hard work.
During his New Year’s address, Roland said that cooperation with the Dutch customer is more important than ever. “The Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff are appealing to industry – they are calling on us to increase capacity to meet increasing demand. As a strategic partner of the Dutch government, we want to, and can, take a leading role for Dutch naval construction. After all, we have been doing this for almost 150 years.”
Roland concluded with a message to the staff: “We are facing a wonderful, challenging year and, together with you, I cannot wait to start turning all the plans into a success. I want to thank you very much for all your hard work in 2023 and hope we will make 2024 a great year together.”