Damen Shipyards Galati Celebrates 125 Years

Damen Shipyards Galati celebrated its 125-year anniversary in coordination with Shipbuilder’s Day (Ziua Navalistului) on August 15. About 7,000 people attended the event, including employees and former employees of the yard, Galati city officials, clients and the media. Galati has delivered more than 1,300 vessels during its history, which began in 1893 when the yard was founded by Gherorghe Fernic. Shipbuilding was just transitioning at that time from wooden to metal hull construction.

Yard Managing Director Rino Brugge said, “At the core of Romania’s shipbuilding industry, Damen Shipyards Galati takes pride in its maritime heritage, which covered over the years a wide variety of ships, from oil tankers, cargo vessels, bulk carriers and drilling rig platforms to modern ferries and superyachts, complete offshore vessels, workboats, as well as defense and naval vessels.

The event featured several bands, a children’s area and a fireworks display.