The Dutch shipbuilding group Damen is expanding its portfolio in the aquafarming sector and acquiring a majority stake in the Norwegian company Folla Maritime Service.
The “partnership” – the official name of the transaction, which is due to be completed in May – combines Damen’s global expertise in shipbuilding and Folla Maritime’s knowledge of the Norwegian aquaculture industry, according to a press release.
Together, the two companies aim to position themselves to respond to new trends and developments in this fast-growing market, both in Norway and globally. To this end, Damen has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Folla Maritime. The size of the stake and the financial scope of the transaction were not disclosed.
“The increasing global demand for seafood, driven by population growth, is a key reason for Damen’s expansion into aquaculture. Damen recognizes the need for sustainable vessels and smart maritime solutions and is committed to supporting fish farm owners and service providers by combining shipbuilding expertise and industry knowledge,” the statement said.
Damen operates the Maaskant shipyard in Stellendam, which was acquired in 1984. The shipyard can reportedly look back on a long tradition of building fishing vessels. Today, it serves as the central hub for Damen’s fishing and aquaculture activities.
In the future, the partners want to offer a diverse portfolio of multifunctional hybrid or electric vessels tailored to various offshore and nearshore aquaculture activities. These include small personnel and workboats, large steel workboats and larger service vessels.
“We are confident that together with Folla Maritime we can develop innovative solutions that will advance the industry and provide technical and future-proof solutions to meet the growing demand for food security,” said Jeroen van den Berg, Product Director Aquaculture & Fishing.
Otto Sjølien, CEO of Folla Maritime, emphasized: “With this partnership, we will become a full-range supplier of vessels to provide the aquaculture industry with state-of-the-art vessels that meet the highest standards of comfort, reliability, safety and environmental sustainability. We will continue to deliver innovative, high quality products and services from our shipyard in Flatanger, while expanding our capacity and capabilities through Damen.”
