Innovating inland shipping: how Concordia Damen strengthens the maritime ecosystem from Werkendam to Rotterdam

A shipbuilder shaped by innovation

Concordia Damen began as a ship brokerage firm, but the demand for newbuild vessels quickly pushed the business toward design and construction. Today, it builds inland cargo vessels, tankers, push boats and an increasing number of river cruise ships. Its modern cruise vessels and inland cargo ships with optimised hull forms reflect a clear direction: reducing emissions, reducing resistance in the water and enabling vessels to carry more cargo with less fuel.

“We are always looking at how we can make the design better,” Heleen says. “New hull forms, lower draught, more cargo capacity, less fuel consumption. That is where we stand out.”

Their approach is backed by measurable results. In 2019 Concordia Damen won the Ship of the Year award with the first inland vessel capable of sailing emission free for several hours on battery power. In 2023 they delivered a vessel capable of operating entirely on hydrogen. In a market known for its conservative pace, Concordia Damen continues to push for practical and workable innovation.

Delivering from hull to handover

Many shipyards focus solely on building hulls, but Concordia Damen stands out by delivering vessels from the first drawing to the final handover. Hulls are built in China, Serbia or Romania before coming to the Netherlands for complete outfitting. This requires close cooperation with a network of regional maritime suppliers, many based in and around Werkendam.

“We have been working with the same companies for years,” Heleen says. “We know the people and we know their quality. That makes the entire process more efficient.”

This tight regional ecosystem strengthens the supply chain, supports fast delivery and provides a competitive edge in a sector often limited by capacity.

Serving Europe’s busiest waterways

Concordia Damen is based in Werkendam, but many of its vessels operate in and around Rotterdam. Dry cargo, containers and tankers move through the Rhine corridor every day, carrying goods that enter or leave Europe through the port of Rotterdam.

“We see more customers transporting containers between the hinterland and the port,” Heleen says. “Rotterdam is a crucial part of that network.”

These logistics flows reinforce the importance of improved hull forms and fuel efficiency, especially during periods of low water levels on inland waterways.

Customer driven sustainability

The company’s sustainability efforts are shaped by customer demand. More operators are seeking hybrid systems, alternative fuels and vessels that maximise payload with reduced fuel burn. Concordia Damen also works with a dedicated subsidy adviser who helps clients navigate available support for greener propulsion.

“It helps that customers see the results,” Heleen explains. “If a vessel can carry more cargo at a lower draught, that is already a form of sustainability. Less fuel, more efficiency, more earning potential.”

People, expertise and a close team

Concordia Damen is a compact organisation with strong retention. Most employees stay for many years and build long term careers in the company.

“We are a small team and very connected,” Heleen says. Project leaders, engineers, designers, marketing and administration work closely together throughout each project. The company’s partner Station 3 handles outfitting and faces the same challenge seen across the maritime sector, which is the shortage of skilled technical workers.

The team culture is one reason people stay. “We work closely, everyone contributes and there is real ownership,” she says.