Sweden: Damen Acquires Oskarshamnsvarvet

On May 16th, 2012 Dutch shipbuilding and repair company Damen Shipyards Group has taken over the shares of Swedish ship repair and maintenance yard Oskarshamnsvarvet in Oskarshamn.

The acquisition was prepared in close cooperation with the owners and includes the full continuation of the repair yard, both as to current operations and personnel.

Oskarshamnsvarvet is a ship repair yard on the south-east coast of Sweden. It is specialized in the maintenance and repair of vessels up to 80 m and has built, repaired and maintained a substantial part of the Swedish coastal fleet since 1863.

Apart from a floating dock, the company operates a slipway covered by a portal crane of 100 tons.

In addition to shiprepair the company is active in industrial activities, such as specialized crane assembly and the production of special-purpose containers. Oskarshamnsvarvet employs about 60 people and has been profitable over the past years.

René Berkvens, CEO Damen Shipyards, says: “The takeover of Oskarshamnsvarvet fits right into our strategy to increase Damen’s network of ship repair yards in Europe. Moreover, Oskarshamnsvarvet is a solid base from which we can provide services to existing and new (Swedish) clients. We look forward to work with the yard and its employees.”

Mr Martijn Smit has been appointed as board member of Oskarshamnsvarvet. Damen is an established player in the ship repair market and now has two Swedish yards: Oskarshamnsvarvet on the east coast and Damen Shiprepair Götaverken on the west coast. All in all, Damen operates 9 ship repair and conversion yards along the North Sea coast and 3 repair yards in the Middle East.

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Dredging Today Staff, May 25, 2012; Images: damen