From left to right: Concordia Group CEO Chris Kornet and Damen Shipyards Group chairman Kommer Damen shake hands. Credit: Damen Shipyards Group.

Damen Shipyards Group and Concordia Group have signed a joint venture (JV) cooperation agreement relating to the construction and trade of vessels intended for use in inland waterways.

The JV arrangement is expected to increase market share in inland waterways and will operate under the name Concordia Damen Shipbuilding.

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"Concordia Damen Shipbuilding will, besides catering to the general demand, focus on the development of sustainable vessels with a diversity of new shipbuilding techniques."

Concordia Group CEO Chris Kornet said: “Damen and Concordia are joining forces in order to better support clients in their investments.

“Concordia Damen Shipbuilding will, besides catering to the general demand, focus on the development of sustainable vessels with a diversity of new shipbuilding techniques, in order to achieve a bright and clean future for shipowners.

“We are very pleased to partner with Damen to expand our activities in the inland waterways market.

“We look forward to working together with Damen and its international network of shipyards and sales.”

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Concordia will retain its own corporate identity within the new JV, which is intended to increase the company’s production capacity.

Damen is primarily engaged in the operation of a global network of shipyards, as well as an international sales and service network.

The project will see the Inland Waterways team be relocated from the Damen headquarters in Gorinchem to the Concordia office, which is situated in Werkendam, the Netherlands.

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion also recently secured a contract from Rouen-based GIE Dragages-Ports to undertake the conversion of a 117m, 8500m³ trailing suction hopper dredger known as Samuel de Champlain into a dual-fuel capability unit, which will be able to run on a combination of LNG and MGO.

The related works are set to take place next year at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque.

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