It all started with…
Family is important to us at Damen. From the very beginning we’ve been a family business. Our company started when two brothers, Jan and Rien Damen, opened a small shipyard in Hardinxveld, the Netherlands in 1927. Applying the same values that we still hold today – fellowship, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and stewardship – the brothers made a success of their endeavour. By the 1930s, they had already delivered over 100 vessels.
Podcast ‘On Course'
Curious to learn more about Damen? With the podcast ‘On Course’ we tell the remarkable story of Kommer Damen’s idea of building vessels in series and how it changed our industry forever. Hear how a small wooden shed on the banks of the River Merwede grew into one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, delivering vessels of all types, all around the globe.
Towards the next generation
Today, with Arnout Damen as CEO, the third generation is at the helm and we are looking forwards. We, and our planet, face unprecedented challenges. To that end, Damen has set itself a new goal. We aim to become the most sustainable maritime solutions provider in the world. To achieve this, we are combining our philosophy of standardisation and series building with the latest in digital and technological innovation. In this way, we will help to maintain the oceans of possibilities offered by our seas and oceans and ensure prosperity for the generations to come.
Sustainability top of mind
The diversity of our portfolio enhances our ability to positively impact our environment. Our vessels are operating in all sectors of the maritime industry; from tugs to patrol boats, from luxury yachts to defence and security vessels and from ferries to dredgers. Every Damen vessel is designed and built with sustainability and circularity in mind and with the aim to become emissions free. We have developed our E3 label – Environmentally friendly, economically viable and efficient in operation – to ensure the continued evolution of our products and solutions towards the energy transition.
Make a difference
Do you also want to make a difference for our customers and the climate? Then build with us. Help us to develop unique vessels for a better world. We don’t care where in the world you come from, what your religious beliefs are, or how you identify. It doesn’t matter what gender you are, how old you are or what your physical capabilities might be. What matters to us, is you. Our promise to you is that you will be safe with us and that you will never be bored. We know where we want to go. We aim to be the world’s most sustainable maritime solutions provider. And we know that the only way to get there is to do it together; ONE FAMILY with ONE GOAL. We are ONE DAMEN.
What to expect
At Damen you get the best of several worlds. You work for one of the best shipbuilders in the world, renowned for its unparalleled quality. Your colleagues are professionals with a boundless passion for designing, building, maintaining, repairing, decommissioning and rebuilding ships – and the numerous related services we offer. You are part of a team that is fully committed to innovation and sustainability – at the yard and in the office – and that likes to have fun.
Damen has 35 shipyards on five different continents and operates in more than 100 countries. We are still growing and that gives you options. You contribute to this growth while benefitting from the diverse development and career opportunities that our company offers. We will continue to challenge you. With our extensive portfolio of products and solutions you will never get bored and never stop learning. We offer you a world of possibilities.
Working at Damen means contributing to the highest quality in shipbuilding, with an eye to the future and future generations. We want to make the world a better place by becoming the most sustainable maritime solution provider. For that, we need you. Become part of our family.
Young Damen
At Damen we believe that work should be fun. We place great emphasis on creating an enjoyable atmosphere where colleagues can get to know one another in a relaxed setting. Next to all kind of corporate events, this is why we have established Young Damen. A fun social platform for Damen employees up to the age of 35. With Young Damen, colleagues can connect and interact, enjoying one another’s company both in- and outside of the work environment.
Think sailing trips, shipyard visits, educational presentations, or simply having a drink together on a Friday afternoon. Young Damen offers you the opportunity to grow your network and develop your potential to the fullest. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to our next event.
The values at the heart of Damen
At Damen, we live by our values. They represent the spirit of our company, our identity, and guide us in all that we do.
We’re a family company with family values. Our strong culture of openness and pride offers you a welcoming environment where you will be supported and energised by your colleagues. As part of our team you will help to continually innovate the sustainable solutions that will secure the future of the maritime industry – and our planet – for the next generations.
We are confident that you will find a career at Damen that is not only challenging and satisfying, but also enjoyable. At the heart of our culture are our four values: Fellowship, Craftsmanship, Stewardship and Entrepreneurship.
Our values in a nutshell
Fellowship
It’s impossible to imagine Damen without fellowship. It’s at the very core of what it means to be part of a family company. Teamwork defines our organisation. Of course, the individual is also important, but it’s by working together that each one of us receives the support we need to do our work effectively. Putting the team first, we combine our strengths, creating a force much more powerful than the sum of its parts.
Craftsmanship
You can tell a Damen person by the passion and commitment they apply to their work. Nothing less than the best is good enough. We achieve reliability by applying the proven philosophy of standardised construction in series, while leaving room to provide our clients with a vessel tailored to their needs.
Stewardship
As a family company, we look to the long-term, to securing the future for the generations to come. A vital part of this lies in our increasing focus on sustainability. In order to ensure the opportunities presented by our waters, it is crucial that we take care of them. At Damen, we are doing this by investing in research and working closely with our clients to discover the solutions for a clean maritime world.
Entrepreneurship
We strive to understand our clients’ business in order that we can add value, working alongside them as a trusted partner. For us, the ship is just the start. Our commitment to our clients has given rise to our vision of providing care throughout the lifecycle of their asset.
Our story, our rich history
We are ONE FAMILY with ONE GOAL. We are ONE DAMEN.
Explore the possibilities
Read more about a career at Damen and check out our latest vacancies.
View vacancies