Damen Yachting: heritage, sustainability and a new era of leadership

During the recent Monaco Yacht Show 2025, we had the opportunity to speak with Damen Yachting and explore how the company is evolving through innovation, environmental awareness, and a renewed approach to leadership.

From industrial origins to high-end yachting

The history of Damen Shipyards Group dates back to 1927, when Jan and Marinus Damen founded a shipyard in the Netherlands dedicated to building working craft. In the 1960s, under the guidance of Kommer Damen, the introduction of standardised, series-built models transformed the way commercial craft were engineered and produced. This technical heritage — developed on tugs, offshore support units and operational craft designed for demanding conditions — remains the backbone of the company today.

Dialogue between two complementary worlds

The acquisition of Amels in 1992 and the historic Vlissingen yard in 2000 marked Damen’s transition from the industrial sector to the luxury yacht market. Crucially, Damen Yachting did not abandon its origins: it brought with it procedures, methods, and solutions tested on craft designed to operate far from sheltered waters. The shift was never about placing luxury above engineering, but about integrating robust technical foundations with an increasingly refined approach to life on board.

Collaboration between Damen Shipyards Group and the yachting division remains one of the brand’s defining characteristics. Technologies developed for efficiency, durability, and safety in the commercial sector are translated into systems that enhance comfort, while the experience gained in the superyacht market introduces a more personalised customer focus and a heightened sensitivity to design. This reciprocal exchange allows Damen to combine dependable engineering with craftsmanship and bespoke refinement.

Comfort in challenging conditions

From the earliest design stages, Damen Yachting prepares its yachts for tough sea states. Optimised hull forms, advanced stabilisation systems and redundant technical installations ensure operational continuity and comfort. On board, fixed yet flexible furnishings, resilient materials and well-trained crews help maintain hospitality standards even when the sea becomes unpredictable.

Refit and sustainability as an evolutionary path

Refit work plays a central role in the company’s strategy, not only as an aesthetic or technical upgrade, but as an opportunity to extend a yacht’s operational life while reducing environmental impact. The introduction of new energy systems, improved hydrodynamic efficiency, the adoption of more sustainable materials and careful waste management at the yard reflect a lifecycle-oriented mindset — closer to industrial logic than to simple cosmetic renewal.

The Xplorer philosophy

The Xplorer range embodies a more mindful approach to navigation. The recent Xplorer 60 has given shape to this vision, combining long-range autonomy, optimised efficiency and living spaces designed for travelling in remote environments. The upcoming Xplorer 80 and 105 will continue along this path, expanding exploration capabilities while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability, both in construction and in day-to-day operation.

Leadership and initiatives beyond the yacht

The International Superyacht Societi, the global association that promotes excellence, sustainability, and professionalism in the superyacht industry, presented to Rose Damen, Managing Director of Damen Yachting, the International Superyacht Society’s Leadership Award recognition for her help to guide the company towards a more responsible and inclusive direction. Initiatives such as Love Our Ocean, dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems, and Women in Yachting, aimed at promoting female talent within the sector, demonstrate an engagement that extends beyond yachtbuilding and addresses the social dimension of the industry. Their development will continue through partnerships and measurable programmes designed to generate tangible impact.

Damen Yachting shows how a strong technical foundation can coexist with growing attention to design, sustainability and people. The combination of these elements is shaping a renewed identity for the industry — one that blends innovation with responsibility and a long-term vision for the future of yachting.