Damen officially founded 14^th November 1927 in Hardinxveld-Giessendam by brothers Jan and Rien Damen.

Yard number 100 is delivered

Largest vessel up to then

The very luxurious pleasure vessel for that time, ‘Margaretha’, was launched.

Kommer Damen joins the Damen company, at that time about 40 people worked at the yard.

Kommer Damen takes over – Scheepswerf Damen was established on 1st January 1969

After a difference of opinion as to the company’s future, in late 1968 the decision was made by the Damen brothers to go separate ways. Kommer’s vision was to supply vessels with a short delivery time from order to completion. This meant vessels and parts would have to be available from stock. There would also have to be a good worldwide after-sales services. He wanted to standardise vessels and expand the production package.

Damen starts building rescue vessels

The first high speed rescue launch was built for the Royal North and South Holland Rescue Company.

Beginning of standardised production

The new design was the Damen Pushy Cat – a multifunctional and very manoeuvrable vessel at the same time.

Sales success of the Pushy Cat

Several countries in the Middle East experienced tremendous growth. Almost all harbours in the Middle East were being dredged. The dredging industry purchased dozens of Pushy Cats between 1969 and 1973. Damen Shipyards was able to boom while the Netherlands was still recovering from the 1973 oil crisis.

New headquarters in Gorinchem

Kommer Damen’s father, Jan Damen, driving the first pile. The shed in Hardinveld-Giessendam had become too small to build the ever increasing number of boats. By 1974 it was building 100 vessels a year.

First ocean-going vessels built

Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) starts

DTC enables clients to build Damen vessels locally, anywhere in the world. DTC provides clients with a prefabricated shipbuilding kit and can, on request, combine this with expert assistance, training and backup.

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix christened the tall ship ‘Eendracht’

Global activities

Damen kept on growing gradually and soon the group started exporting. The Damen workboats quickly became the standard in many foreign markets and Damen saw the opportunity to export. Later on numerous yards were taken over with specialisation in niche markets. And Damen started partnerships and business cooperations with yards all over the world.

Genesis of Damen’s Azimuth Stern Drive Tugs

Amels Holland acquired

From that time Damen became actively involved in building luxury mega yachts, vessels very different from those that Damen had built previously.

Damen enters the ship repair market

Clipper ‘Stad Amsterdam’

Damen’s first Sail Training Vessel. Two more constructions of traditional steel clippers followed, the 74-metre ‘Cisne Branco’ for the Brazilian navy and the ‘Shabab Oman II’ for the Ministry of Defence of Oman.

Naval vessels: Royal Schelde joins Damen

Damen acquired Royal Schelde that was founded in the year 1875 along with all of its subsidiaries. Following the acquisition, Damen then introduced its unique, standardised modular construction concept also in Vlissingen.

First series of Platform Supply Vessels

Princess Maxima of the Netherlands at the naming ceremony of Air Defence and Command Frigate ‘Evertsen’ at the Koninklijke Schelde Group in Vlissingen (now Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding).

Axe bow concept developed

Standardisation copied to yachts, Limited Editions born

Introduction of the Yacht Support concept

Arnout Damen joins the company as Chief Commercial Officer

Opening tug factory in Vietnam, Damen Song Cam Shipyard

First Damen hybrid ASD Tug delivered

Start of worldwide Services hub network

Revolutionary Search and Rescue vessel wins “Ship of the Year” Award

Naming of the 205 m Joint Logistic Support Ship HNLMS ‘Karel Doorman’, the biggest ship in the Dutch navy.

Damen Marine Components

The oldest company in Damen Shipyards Group celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Damen launches first composite fast crew supplier

Since 2008 Rose Damen has been closely involved with Damen as a non-executive board member. In 2015 she joined Amels as Commercial Director.

Cable Installation vessel for Maersk Supply Service

First SeaXplorer expedition yacht sold, scheduled for delivery in 2019

Damen presents the next generation of Expedition Cruising

90th Anniversary Damen & 50th Anniversary Kommer Damen

Kommer Damen received a Citizen of Honour Award from the City of Gorinchem