Posted on December 21, 2025
Damen Shipyards Group has held a keel-laying ceremony for Herman Senior’s Multi-Purpose Vessel
Damen Shipyards Group has held a keel-laying ceremony for Herman Senior’s Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) 4916. The milestone moment in the construction of this first-in-series vessel took place at the Albwardy Damen shipyard in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Shipbuilding with tradition
Herman Senior has named the latest addition to its fleet Smokey in keeping with the company tradition of giving vessels names for famous bears. Tradition was also observed during the ceremony when two coins were welded to the keel. The coins selected were a historic Rijksdaalder from the Netherlands and a UAE Dirham, to reflect both the vessel’s Dutch heritage and the construction location.
Shared values
Herman Senior is a long-standing client of Damen and operates numerous vessels from the shipbuilders’ portfolio in its fleet. As in this case, the company is often the launching customer for first-in-series Damen vessels.
Speaking on the occasion of the keel-laying, Leon Fijnekam, Commercial Manager at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld, said, “We are very proud to continue to support Herman Senior with this latest order for an MPV 4916. Our two companies have been working together for almost 80 years. I believe the key to the long-standing success of our relationship is our shared values as family businesses. Both parties have a keen focus on quality and a strong vision for the future. We look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
Erwin van Dodewaard, Managing Director at Herman Senior said, “The keel laying of MPV Smokey marks an important step in the further expansion of our offshore capabilities. With this vessel, which is a first of a kind once again, we are investing in versatility, reliability and long term operational value. Our long-standing cooperation with Damen, built on trust, craftsmanship and shared family values, enables us to translate these ambitions into a vessel that is truly fit for the future offshore energy market.”
From left to right: Sajan Karolkuni (Project Manager Albwardy Damen), Vladimir Lobachev (Bureau Veritas), Leon Fijnekam (Commercial Manager Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld), Erwin van Dodewaard (Director Herman Senior), Jack van Dodewaard (Director Herman Senior), Chris van Dodewaard (Director Herman Senior), Harry de Moor (Technical Superintendent Herman Senior), Gijs Mourik (Project Manager Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld) and Marius Ghinea (New Build Director Albwardy Damen)
Smokey is designed to perform a wide range of tasks in the offshore energy sectors. Her versatility is assured by DP2 dynamic positioning capabilities, a four-point mooring system and spud poles, which allow her to keep station in diverse environments and water depths. The vessel will also feature a 45 tonne hydraulic A-frame, and an active heave compensated winch on the crane, which allows for safe, precise lifting, even in challenging conditions.
Safe and sustainable
The MPV 4916 is prepared for a sustainable future. The vessel features the Damen Marine NOX Reduction System, a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) that lowers both noise and emissions in a single, compact unit and allows compliance with IMO Tier III requirements. It is, furthermore, prepared for conversion to either full electric or hybrid methanol propulsion in the future.
Safety and comfort are also focal points in the design. Smokey is designed in accordance with SPS Code (Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships), MLC (Maritime Labour Convention) 2006 and COMF-3 notation to ensure the well-being of up to 34 persons on board.
