Damen Awarded Cruise Repair Contract

Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion) has been awarded a cruise repair and maintenance contract from MSC Cruises. Built in 2010, the MSC Magnifica is 293 m long and has a capacity for more than 2,500 passengers. She arrived in Rotterdam on October 20 and is berthed at the yard’s largest drydock, which is 307 m in length. The timescale is tight, with the ship expected to stay for 18 days. The scope includes extensive steelwork, cleaning, painting and replacement piping, as well as the entire renewal of the rudder system.

700 crew onboard

Khalil Benjelloul, Cruise Vessels Product Manager of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, said the Group is delighted to welcome such a magnificent cruise vessel to Rotterdam and explains that the project is certainly a challenge given the timeframe. “During the drydocking the 700-strong crew will largely stay on the vessel and they have to be able to carry out their normal activities safely, so it is quite a logistical operation. At the same time, there could be up to 300 of our workers and subcontractors dealing with the project.”

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 15 repair and conversion yards worldwide, most of which are based around the North Sea. “Rotterdam was the preferred yard because it offers the large capacity needed and additionally, the MSC Magnifica will sail straight on to Hamburg, where she picks up her passengers for her next cruise. 

“Every hour is needed to get the vessel ready on time. For the cruise industry, getting the job done within the deadline is crucial. We cannot have thousands of passengers waiting. We are honored that MSC Cruises has shown such faith in Damen Shiprepair & Conversion and trusts us to deliver what we promised.”