Dutch shipbuilding group Damen Shipyards has started construction on a new offshore diamond mining vessel for a unit of De Beers in Namibia. De Beers Marine Namibia (aka Debmarine Namibia), 50/50 joint venture between the Namibian Government and De Beers Group, awarded Damen with the contract to build the new vessel in February 2019 for offshore operations in … [Read more...]
Facing Death, a Former European Shipbuilding Hub Turns to China
By James Gomez and Jasmina Kuzmanovic (Bloomberg) -- Its portholes without glass and covered in rust and seagull guano, the Santiago I tanker sits moored in the Adriatic Sea abandoned by striking shipyard workers who haven’t been paid for eight months. At the next dock, a Belgian dredger is partly enshrouded in scaffolding, though with no one around to finally make it … [Read more...]
Philippines Won’t Bar Chinese Proposals for Hanjin Heavy Shipyard Takeover
By Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema MANILA, April 25 (Reuters) - All offers from potential buyers of a strategically located but debt-laden Philippine shipyard will be welcome, the trade minister said on Thursday, ruling out barring Chinese firms over national security fears. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the government would not, and could not, block interested buyers … [Read more...]
The Super Rich Are Buying $50 Million ‘Support’ Yachts to Haul Their Toys
By Devon Pendleton (Bloomberg) -- Sailing from port to port in peace and seclusion on a multimillion-dollar boat sounds appealing, but as any seasoned yacht owner can tell you, just cruising around can get a bit, well, boring. To fully enjoy your luxury vessel, you need diversions. Maybe a sailboat or fishing and diving gear. Possibly jet skis, a seaplane or … [Read more...]
Damen Lands First Cruise Ship Construction Contract
Dutch shipbuilding group Damen Shipyards has officially entered the cruise market having signed a contract with Oslo, Norway-based SeaDream Yacht Club for a 155-meter luxury vessel. The so-called Mega Yacht will be purpose-built with ice class Polar Code 6 permitting sailings to polar destinations as well as tropical ones. The order marks Damen's official entry into the … [Read more...]