Damen and Senegal launch Damen Shiprepair Dakar joint venture

Damen Shiprepair has launched Damen Shiprepair Dakar through a joint venture with the Senegalese government’s Société des Infrastructures de Réparation Navale (SIRN), expanding shiprepair capacity in West Africa with a facility aimed at regional commercial and offshore operators.
The yard will provide shiprepair and maintenance services from a strategically located site in Dakar equipped with a 191 x 25 metre drydock, a 235 x 38 metre floating dock and 500 metres of quayside infrastructure. Damen said the venture would support vessels operating in regional trade and the growing offshore energy sector.
Babacar Faye, Managing Director of SIRN, said: “This joint venture with Damen marks a key step in revitalising Dakar Shipyard, supporting sustainable growth, skills transfer, the upgrading of technical capabilities, and long term value for Senegal’s economy and workforce.”
The company said the partnership was intended to strengthen long-term industrial capability in Senegal through investment in infrastructure, workforce development and operational standards. Damen added that the yard would be aligned with its global health, safety, environmental and quality procedures and supported by a significant capital expenditure programme.
The Dutch group said it had already begun receiving vessels at the facility and planned further expansion in the longer term. Future development plans include restarting newbuilding activities and establishing a local training centre to support skills development and maritime employment in Senegal.
Damen said the venture represented more than an operational expansion and was intended to contribute to wider economic growth in the region through local capability building and increased support for maritime industries in West Africa.