# Shipbuilder Damen cuts about 225 jobs in the Netherlands

> Damen Shipyards says the reorganisation will make the company "simpler and more efficient", and it is in talks with the unions about a social plan for affected staff.

Economy · published 2026-10-27 16:10 · https://nlnow.nl/a/shipbuilder-damen-to-cut-about-225-jobs-in-the-netherlands/

Shipbuilder Damen is cutting about 225 of its 4,000 jobs in the Netherlands. The unions De Unie and CNV announced the cuts, and Damen has confirmed the reorganisation. The company says it will make the organisation "simpler and more efficient".

The jobs will go over the next 12 to 18 months at several Dutch Damen companies. Damen says it may be able to absorb a large part through natural attrition. The company wants to draw up a social plan (a package of support for affected staff) with the unions.

In a statement, Damen said its markets are highly competitive and that geopolitical developments affect customers, suppliers and the supply chain. The step is meant to keep the company competitive in the long term, it said.

> This is a difficult message, especially because our colleagues have worked hard in recent years on a stronger Damen. It is precisely from that stronger base that we must also look further ahead.
> — Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen

Damen says it will keep investing in staff and in technologies such as digitalisation and AI.

Union CNV says the news feels like a cold shower for employees. "Everyone here works incredibly hard to keep Damen on course despite changing circumstances. It hits hard to hear that you may become a victim of an efficiency drive," the union said. The first talks will take place shortly and will focus on the nature, scale and impact of the reorganisation, CNV said.

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