The Damen Engineering Gdańsk (DEGd) office employs over 150 employees. We asked the company's bosses what distinguishes a team that, daily, focuses on such values as the quality of work and education, gender equality, and care for the climate.

Sustainable development is inscribed in the strategy and business model of the Damen Group.

– Our ambition is to support the Damen Group in becoming the most sustainable shipbuilder in the world – says Katarzyna Romantowska-Jaskólska, a member of the board of Damen Engineering Gdańsk Sp. z o. o.

And it is the use of modern zero-emission technologies that is increasingly becoming a standard in Damen's projects.

– There is no turning back from zero-emission, it is the future. This means our ships will have to be modified to accommodate it – she says.

Marine solutions for the climate

– Everything we do should be aimed at climate neutrality. This positive trend is also reflected in the activities of our designers and engineers who are working on new generation ships. In addition to zero-emission drive solutions, our projects are distinguished by noise and vibration reduction solutions for the unit operating in the water – argues Katarzyna Romantowska-Jaskólska.

One of the keys to success is corporate governance, which is a way of organizing an organization.

– The quality management system describes the way we operate – emphasizes Grzegorz Bondek, Quality Manager at Damen Engineering Gdańsk Sp. z o. o. – It allows for some transparency as well as streamlining subsequent business processes by creating tools within this system – he adds.

Magdalena Haber, Business Administration & Finance Manager, emphasizes that the basis for sustainable development is education and building a sustainable organization.

– Daily, we try to expand knowledge and promote the exchange of experience among employees and universities. We focus on long-term cooperation – explains Magdalena Haber.

An example of such tasks is internships and workshops in various fields for students, organized by the Damen office in Gdańsk.

About the Sustainable Development Goals

Let us add that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an action plan for changes and transformations of the world in which the needs of the current generation can be met sustainably, with respect for the environment and taking into account the needs of future generations.

At the New York Summit on September 25-27, 2015, the leaders of the UN member states signed the document "Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development".

It includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 actions related to them, that are to be achieved by all parties - governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the science and business sectors, as well as citizens. It was signed in 2015 in New York.

On Damen

The company is part of the international Damen shipbuilding group, whose headquarters are located in the Dutch city of Gorinchem, and as a specialist competence center, it provides services for its needs. The Polish company is responsible for developing prototype designs for ships built in the largest Damen shipyards.

Damen Shipyards Group operates 36 ship repair yards, many affiliated companies, and numerous partner shipyards that can build Damen ships locally. The company employs over 12,000 people worldwide. It has a wide range of products, including tugboats, workboats, navy and patrol vessels, high-speed vessels, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, and ferries.