Damen Shipyards Steers Clear of Legal Obstacles While Pushing Green Shipbuilding Initiatives

Legal Proceedings Begin against Dutch Shipbuilder

Criminal proceedings were initiated against Damen Shipyards Gorinchem and Damen Naval Shipyards on November 24, 2025 after accusations of bribery, forgery, money laundering and sanctions violations were announced in May by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service. Former and current board members stand accused of orchestrating these criminal acts through their de facto direction of sale of ships abroad.

Damen is currently being investigated for activities between 2006 and 2016, which span over 1,500 complex shipbuilding projects undertaken worldwide by Damen worldwide. Furthermore, the prosecution filed charges under the Sanctions Act related to deliveries of cranes into Russia during 2022's second half. If found guilty under European procurement rules, Damen could face a four year ban from competing for government orders.

Damen issued a statement lamenting its eight-year investigation duration and anticipating an extended legal battle. Damen expressed its confidence in the legal proceedings outcome, assuring Public Prosecution Service suspicions are unjustified. Damen highlighted its robust compliance procedures and ISO certification for integrity and anticorruption standards while two company directors reached plea bargaining settlements during this process.

Windcat Acquires Innovation Series Offshore Support Vessels

Windcat and Damen Shipyards Group joined forces on November 25, 2025, during the Offshore Energy Conference in Amsterdam to sign a contract for five new MP-ASV vessels designated the Innovation Series with large open decks, subsea cranes, fuel-efficient operations and high quality accommodation for offshore energy sector personnel.

These 102-meter by 20-meter vessels feature 3,981 kWh battery packs connected to DC grids that enable peak shaving and reduced fuel consumption during dynamic positioning operations, as well as decarbonization objectives. A dual-fuel hydrogen engine supports decarbonization efforts by running an auxiliary genset on hydrogen for decarbonization objectives. Furthermore, each vessel incorporates DP2+ dynamic positioning systems with tunnel thrusters fore and aft for added redundancy allowing continued operations even following thruster failure - an especially vital requirement when working remotely offshore locations.

Construction on Damen's inaugural MP-ASV vessel will commence in February 2026 with delivery scheduled for 2028. Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam will serve as its build location; Damen is delighted to continue their partnership with this facility following successful collaboration on Elevation Series Commissioning Services Operations Vessels (ESCOSVs).

Vietnam Green Shipbuilding Partnership Advances

Damen Shipyards Group and Vietnamese conglomerate Xuan Thien signed a strategic cooperation agreement during the From Port to Runway forum in Hanoi on November 8, 2025. Witnessed by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Aukje de Vries and Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Xuan Sang, it entails joint development of an eco-friendly shipbuilding facility as well as next generation vessel technology.

This partnership centers around Xuan Thien Nam Dinh Green Steel & Deep Sea Port complex in Ninh Binh province of Vietnam, offering clean energy solutions into heavy industry and logistics infrastructure. Damen will offer technology transfer, ship design services and advanced engineering while Xuan Thien provides green steel production with low carbon production for use at their shipyard Xuan Thien-Damen shipyard expected to become one of Southeast Asia's premier shipbuilding centers, catering both domestic and export markets.

Both parties will work collaboratively on developing electric and renewable-powered vessels, positioning Vietnam as an international center of green maritime technology amid global decarbonization trends in shipping.

BC Ferries Island Class Ferry Officially Unveiled

Damen Shipyards Group successfully delivered an Island Class ferry for Canada's BC Ferries at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania during November. This followed on the grand block assembly of Island Class 10 earlier in October; these vessels form part of a four-ferry order based on Damen 8117(E3) Electric Ferry design.

BC Ferries intends to operate these vessels using 100 percent electric energy once required shoreside infrastructure becomes available; this delivery marks another installment of their Island Class program with vessels 1-6 being delivered between 2019-2021.