AIDAmar undergoes annual survey with 2,000 passengers on board

Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam has completed an unusual drydocking project for the Italy-flagged cruise ship AIDAmar, carrying out the vessel’s annual bottom survey while approximately 2,000 passengers remained on board. The 253m-long cruise ship entered Drydock No. 6 at Damen’s Botlek facility on July 5th during a five-night voyage from Warnemünde that included a 24-hour call at Rotterdam.

Once the vessel had been positioned in the 275m x 40.3m drydock, the dock was drained, enabling inspection of the underwater hull as part of the annual survey programme. While the technical work itself was routine, Damen said the presence of passengers created a significant logistical and security challenge.

Project manager Edwin Steijaert said the inspection was a standard operation for the yard, but added: “What made this an exceptional occurrence – and also a considerable logistical challenge – was the presence of passengers.”

As an ISPS-regulated facility, the yard was required to implement controlled access arrangements to ensure passengers could move safely between the vessel and shore facilities while survey work was under way.

Damen established temporary infrastructure including viewing platforms that allowed passengers to observe the ship in drydock, exhibition areas detailing the history of the Rotterdam yard, and transport facilities for sightseeing excursions around the Netherlands.

The project highlights how shipyards are increasingly accommodating non-traditional operational requirements while maintaining survey schedules and security standards.