On December 3rd, 2012, Kommer Damen, President of Damen Shipyards Group, officially opened the new, multifunctional building of Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT).
The clever and outstanding design combines a 1.125m2 services workshop and logistics centre on the ground floor topped off with offices and meeting rooms above. Those designated to work in the upper part of the building may be easily distracted by the breathtaking views over the harbour and Table Mountain.
Following the establishment of DSCT in 2007, the company has experienced an impressive growth in recent times and the order book is comfortably filled. The number of people working at the yard has increased to over 200 persons over the past twelve months.
Managing Director Frank Rebel :
“ The additional space created by the new multi-purpose shed and offices will allow us to further expand our operations here in Cape Town.”
“Our in-house training centre currently accommodates 36 enthusiastic and talented welding and boilermaking apprentices (both male and female) in various phases of education. But education & training does not stop at artisan level. We believe in constant self-improvement for a healthy and competitive company, and so various training courses are offered at all levels within the organization.”
DSCT’s stockpile management enables the shipyard to maintain a constant workflow, which translates to constant levels of local employment.
Investing in South Africa
Frank Rebel has clear ideas about the further development of the site. “We do not only wish to uphold the Damen standard in our products. To incorporate this standard in our buildings and facilities is equally important. It will reflect on everything else, people and community alike”.
The opening of the building will give Mr Rebel a chance to highlight the firm roots that Damen is taking in African soil. The ongoing, multi-million Rand investment program in logistics, internal organization and infrastructure has been given a face. The company’s BBBEE rating of 3 and a substantial NIPP-offset are further evidence that serious endeavours are being made towards long-term growth in Africa.
Building high-quality ships in Africa for African clients remains DSCT’s main goal, thus benefitting from the emerging Sub-Saharan market. The Cape Town yard can build a wide range of vessels in both aluminium and steel, with conventional designs or with the revolutionary Axe-Bow design. DSCT builds Offshore Patrol Vessels, Inshore Patrol Vessels, (high speed) naval craft, dredgers, research vessels, pontoons and crew supply vessels.
All products are made according to proven, standardized technology based on years of R&D and client feedback.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, December 5, 2012; Image: Damen