On 16 November 2012, Arnout Damen, COO of Damen Shipyards Group, officially opened a new office in Norwegian Stavanger. When asked why Dutch headquartered Damen Shipyards sets up an advanced base in Stavanger, its new Sales Manager Remko Hottentot said: “It is the European Oil & Gas capital and the place the ONS Exhibition and conferences are held. Stavanger is, so to speak, a mini-Houston”.

Mr Hottentot has an international nautical background and experience in the Offshore and LNG industries. He married to a Norwegian lady over 22 years ago, speaks the language fluently and it is therefore no surprise that he feels quite at home in Norway.

The opening gave Mr Hottentot a chance to show what Damen is about and in particular that Damen is becoming more and more active in the Offshore industry. Damen booked newbuilding orders for a series of four Platform Supply Vessels to be built at Damen Shipyard Galati (Romania) and another two to be built at Damen Shipyards Bergum (The Netherlands). Three Damen Ocean-going Patrol Vessels of the Holland Class were docked at Vågen, close to the office in the centre of Stavanger. One of the vessels, HNLMS Zeeland, was visited by the invitees at the opening.

Tags: Damen Shipyards