A consortium including Damen Shipyards has been developing plans to bring about the redevelopment of the former Bijela shipyard in Boka Bay, Montenegro.
The consortium consists of superyacht marina development and operating group Adriatic Marinas and Damen Shipyards and has been working with the Government of Montenegro to this end since 2012.
Superyacht Repair and Refit Facility
The recent completion of technical surveys and the placing of a contract by the government and the World Bank for the remediation of the site has paved the way for the signing of the Concession Agreement for the yard on 30 November. Following completion of the remediation works in early 2020, the consortium will transform the shipyard into a superyacht repair and refit facility over the following twelve months.
Return of Maritime Industry in Montenegro
This initiative has been challenging, but the resulting benefits to the economy of Montenegro are potentially significant with over 300 people eventually expected to return to the marine industry. Bijela, Herzeg Novi, is the historic homeland of the sector in Montenegro.
Apprenticeship Programme
The planning of recruitment and training through Damen’s apprenticeship programme is already underway. So too are plans for the production of new, state-of-the-art lifting and repair equipment to be brought to the facility following completion of remediation works.
Preliminary Yachting Service
In the meantime, it is hoped that interim arrangements can be agreed with the Government of Montenegro and its remediation contractor Valgo, to allow a preliminary yachting service to be operated in the western portion of the Bijela site. This could commence as early as winter 2019/20.
