WILLEMSTAD - Recently a meeting was held between the representatives of Damen Shipyard Curaçao, the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) and the CDM Holding. The financial situation of Damen Shipyard was the reason for this urgent meeting. The minister in charge of MEO, Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia says that this is not the right time to answer questions about the content of the meeting.

Larmonie-Cecilia says that soon she will give further details, but that 'is not appropriate now'. But according to reliable sources, both Damen and CDM Holding should make investments 'to save the company'.

In February 2020, there were reports about the financial-economic difficult times that the Damen Shipyards Group has because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no ships in the dock, but director Lodewijk Franken at the time explained that the exchange of the number of assignments is typical of the ship repair industry and expects large crowds in the short term. A spokesperson in the Netherlands said that the company has invested heavily to initiate activities, but 'the amount of work still lags behind'. Back then there were already meetings between the Damen executives about the state of the company and the 'Recovery Plan' to make Damen Shipyard Curaçao a profitable organization. Minister Larmonie-Cecilia finds it too early to answer the question of whether and how the government will contribute to investments that are needed 'to save the company'.

In September 2016, CDM Holding, Damen Shiprepair Curaçao and Damen Dock Curaçao signed the concession agreement regarding the Curacao shipyard. Damen leases and operates the shipyard which is owned by CDM Holding. Damen Shiprepair Curaçao BV has been the yard operator since February 2017.

Damen Shipyards has drawn up a business plan in September 2016. According to the plan, an investment of $ 33 million is required for the upgrading of the ship's infrastructure on Curaçao. Last February 290 local employees were employed by the company.

On the website of Damen Shipyards Group, which has Curaçaos included, it was stated on April 30 this year, that the Order Portfolio of the Group ended at the end of 2020 to eight billion euros, more than doubling compared to the end of 2019. But CEO Arnout Damen also says that "the COVID-19 pandemic meant a substantial impact" for his company.