May 16th saw the acquisition of Swedish shiprepair as well as maintenance yard Oskarshamnsvarvetin Oskarshamn by Dutch shipbuilding and repair company Damen Shipyards Group. Comprising the complete continuation of the repair yard, both as to current operations and personnel, the acquisition was prepared in close collaboration with the owners.
Damen Shipyards acquires Oskarshamnsvarvet
Oskarshamnsvarvet is a shiprepair 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 shiprepair 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 shiprepair market and now has two Swedish yards: Oskarshamnsvarvet on the east coast and Damen ShiprepairGötaverken on the west coast. All in all, Damen operates 9 shiprepair and conversion yards along the North Sea coast and 3 repair yards in the Middle East.
