Dutch-based Damen Shipyards Group has become the latest member of the World Ocean Council (WOC).
Damen is the first European shipbuilder to join the WOC, the international business leadership alliance on ocean sustainability, science and stewardship.
“Vessels are a common and fundamental aspect of all ocean industries. Many of the impacts to the marine environment can and must be addressed through improved vessel development and operations. Through the World Ocean Council, Damen can better work with the diverse ocean business community to identify and develop the innovative designs and products needed to tackle these issues – creating business opportunities and business solutions in support of cleaner seas,” Arnout Damen, Chief Commercial Officer , said.
Damen’s efforts to reduce environmental impacts of shipping, have resulted in, for example, an in-house E3 label, applying only to new Damen designs that are Environmentally friendly, Efficient in operation and Economically viable.
Other examples are the new generations of hybrid, CNG and LNG tugs and inland shipping vessels, some of which are built and some of which are in research programmes, Damen‘s recent partnership with the Bellona Foundation , the Oslo-based institute for sustainable environmental solutions, and the BlueTec Tidal Energy project.