Mr Kommer Damen receives Lifetime Achievement Award at TUGTECHNOLOGY 2025
During the closing dinner of the TUGTECHNOLOGY 2025 conference in Antwerp, Damen Shipyards Group Chairman Mr Kommer Damen was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Tug & Salvage Awards. The award recognises individuals whose contributions have had a lasting and significant impact on the global tug industry.
Mr Damen, who was unaware of the nomination, was genuinely surprised by the honour, received in the company of his wife, colleagues, clients, and maritime professionals from around the world.
The award is a well-deserved recognition of more than fifty years of dedication. Since introducing the principle of standardised shipbuilding in 1969, Mr Damen has helped shape the evolution of modern tug design. Under his leadership, Damen developed benchmark vessel types such as the ASD, ATD and RSD Tugs, many of which have become global standards.
In recent years, Damen has continued to build on that legacy with the launch of a new generation of compact, highly manoeuvrable, and increasingly sustainable tugs. The fully electric RSD-E Tug 2513, now in service in both Europe and the Middle East, represents a major step forward in zero-emission operations. Damen is also developing fuel-flexible ASD tugs, offering clients future-ready options as the energy transition accelerates.
As part of the award presentation, a video tribute featured personal messages from clients, colleagues and industry partners. Their contributions reflected not only Mr Damen’s achievements as an entrepreneur, but also his integrity, approachability and long-standing commitment to collaboration. The video celebration closed with a message from Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen Shipyards Group, who expressed his pride in carrying these values forward into the next generation.
We congratulate Mr Kommer Damen on this exceptional recognition and thank him for the values and standards that continue to guide the company today.