Superyachts, Midlife Updates and retirement plans

Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV) has had a challenging but successful and profitable year. The year started with two superyacht refits and by the end of 2022, both yachts were back for new work and further modifications. In between, there was the combination of Midlife Update and Appointed Maintenance (MLU/BO) for HNLMS Johan de Witt, a project DSV is carrying out together with Damen Naval. All in all, Managing Director Peter Sterkenburg looks back on a good year and has something to look forward to in 2023.

“After two challenging corona years, the virus fortunately had a smaller impact last year. Our biggest challenge in 2022 was the MLU and the BO for the Johan de Witt. This project involved not only two different Damen companies, but also several parts of the Royal Netherlands Navy and various subcontractors. It was quite a job to tie up all those ends, but the project will be delivered successfully. All credit goes to the Project Managers and their teams.”

The Johan de Witt was towed into DSV’s covered dry dock 2 in July, and the ship was able to be moved out again at the end of November. “It was a week earlier than initially planned and that was nice, because less than a week later there was another superyacht in there. We also had many regular repair jobs last year and some larger assignments such as regular maintenance on the Damen-built Power Play, refurbishing fire damage on the Geoquip Elena and various jobs for DEME and Van Oord, among others.”

Several projects are already planned for 2023 as well, but there is something else on the agenda. After almost six years as Managing Director, Peter will retire at the end of April. “When I made the switch from Commercial Manager to Managing Director in September 2017, I was succeeded by Michiel de Vliegher and the same thing is happening again now,” he says. “We have worked together for years and we always discussed all the important things together and with the rest of the MT. I therefore have every confidence in the transition. The coming year looks good for DSV again.”