A delegation from the Dutch shipbuilding company Damen Shipyards, led by Mr. Kommer Damen, visited the Balkan Shipbuilding and Repairing Yard on November 19 this year to explore potential cooperation opportunities in the shipbuilding industry.

A working meeting was held at the plant's administrative building with representatives from Turkmenistan's Maritime and River Transport Agency "Turkmendenizderyayollary," OJSC "Balkan Shipbuilding and Repairing Yard," and Damen Shipyards. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation, focusing on the production of river dredgers.

Damen Shipyards Group is the largest European shipbuilding group, managing dozens of shipbuilding and repair yards and collaborating with clients in over 100 countries worldwide. The company offers a wide range of products, including dredgers and workboats for the dredging industry, tugs, naval and patrol vessels, high-speed craft, cargo ships, offshore industry vessels, ferries, pontoons and superyachts. For almost all types of vessels, a wide range of services is offered, such as maintenance, spare parts supply, training and knowledge transfer in shipbuilding.

After the business part of the program, the guests went on a tour of the plant to familiarize themselves with the construction progress of two new dry cargo ships. At the meeting of Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on October 25 this year, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that launching the construction of dry cargo ships in our country was an important step in developing a new sector of national industry. This will contribute to the regular increase in cargo transportation volumes and improve the activities of the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi, said the head of state, noting that the Balkan Shipbuilding and Repairing Yard plays an important role here.

As reported, based on the accelerated construction of dry cargo ships, local specialists in this field have been trained, and advanced technologies and an automated system are being implemented at the plant. To enhance the plant's efficiency, it is necessary to consistently modernize its material and technical base and produce new equipment. In this regard, head of state approved submitted proposals to strengthen the material and technical base of this modern enterprise.