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Content written in cooperation with Jan-Hein Reeringh - The Maritime Marketeer
“The European river cruise market is moving towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. Indeed, many of our customers simply don’t accept vessels with a large environmental footprint. Today's cruise-goers are increasingly eco-conscious and demand vessels with a minimal environmental footprint. This translates into new designs for river cruise owners, operators and tour operators. At Concordia Damen, we stand at the forefront of this transition, ensuring that cruising remains a good an profitable business to work in while becoming a clean and responsible endeavour.” - Chris Kornet (CEO Concordia Damen Shipbuilding)
SHIPBUILDER, INNOVATOR, MAN OF HIS WORD
NAVIGATING THE RIVER CRUISE INDUSTRY WITH CHRIS KORNET, CEO OF CONCORDIA DAMEN SHIPBUILDING
Werkendam, a Dutch village in the centre of the Netherlands and situated at the Merwede River, has had a deep-rooted connection with the maritime industry for centuries. Housing 42 companies that are all specialised in (parts of) the Inland Shipping industry, Concordia Damen Shipbuilding is part of an efficient network of ship designers, builders, suppliers and owners. Concordia Damen has not just embraced maritime traditions but is also pioneering innovations in the river cruise industry. At the helm of this venture is Chris Kornet, a man with more than 50 years of maritime experience.
Read all about his role in the River Cruise industry, the industry where he has found a partner in Bancosta Cruise.
BUILDING CONCORDIA DAMEN
A FAMILY COMPANY WITHIN A FAMILY COMPANY
After working on inland shipping vessels, Kornet's entrepreneurial spirit led him to purchase his first own vessel at the age of 20, kickstarting his journey as a skipper. Eventually, he and his wife decided to transition to the shore and founded the Concordia Group with two partners. They initially ventured into shipbrokering, primarily dealing with used vessels. However, it wasn't long before they expanded their horizons, offering newbuild hulls from China, a decision that marked the beginning of significant growth. To date, Chris and his Team have built and sold more than 250 vessels for inland shipping clients around the world: container barges, tankers, pushers and, of course, river cruise vessels.
In 2018, they joined forces with Damen Shipyards Group in Gorinchem, a family company like Concordia, consisting of 35 ship- and repair yards globally and sharing Concordia Damen's ethos. This partnership has been instrumental in shaping Concordia Damen into what it is today.
SAILING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
A ZERO-EMISSION VISION
One of Concordia Damen's groundbreaking achievements is the development of sustainable propulsion systems, including hybrid technology. In first instance, their journey into sustainability was client-driven, with companies like Heineken and Nedcargo challenging them to reduce emissions (7% more for each next ship!). The result? A zero-emission vessel – the first inland shipping newbuild on hydrogen ever - that significantly lowers the carbon footprint of each voyage. But Concordia Damen's commitment to sustainable practices doesn't stop there; their vessels are equipped with shore power capabilities, ensuring clean energy consumption while docked.
RIVER CRUISER AROSA SENA
A BEACON OF SUSTAINABILITY
One shining example of Concordia Damen's sustainable designs is the Rhinemax river cruise ship, Arosa Sena. This vessel boasts a hybrid propulsion system featuring a zero-emissions battery drive. While cruising, a diesel engine powers the ship, but when entering or leaving ports, the vessel switches to an electric engine, running on the battery for emissions-free operations. Furthermore, the hull has been meticulously optimized for minimal resistance. Excess energy is recovered whenever possible and fed back into the system.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE
INNOVATIVE 135M HYBRID RIVER CRUISE DESIGN
Concordia Damen's commitment to innovation doesn't stop there. They've recently unveiled an innovative 135-meter hybrid design that promises a new generation of river cruise ships. This vessel prioritizes lower deadweight, ensuring lower draft, reduced fuel consumption and extended operations during low-water seasons. The latter is important, as many rivers in Europe, South America and elsewhere can only be sailed by shallow draft vessels in the summer. Moreover, it's of modular design, allowing alternative power sources and fuel types to be seamlessly integrated into the electric platform.
As for the future, Concordia Damen has adapted the organisation’s capacity to allow for the construction of up to four river cruise vessels annually.
JOINT VENTURE ADVANTAGES
SYNERGIES WITH THE DAMEN SHIPYARDS GROUP
Ordering a river cruise ship from Concordia comes with a unique set of benefits. Through their joint venture with Damen, these companies combine their strengths to offer a full scope of services. From development, construction and financing to maintenance, transport and services, they provide end-to-end solutions that ensure the highest quality and client satisfaction. The backing of Damen Group, brings additional financial stability, a can-do family company attitude and a global reach. With this Concordia Damen can (and does) deliver top-notch services to clients worldwide.
BUILDING A LEGACY
A CLEAN FUTURE FOR EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISING
In Chris Kornet's view, “The European river cruise market is moving towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. Indeed, many of our customers simply don’t accept vessels with a large environmental footprint. Today's cruise-goers are increasingly eco-conscious and demand vessels with a minimal environmental footprint. This translates into new designs for river cruise owners, operators and tour operators. At Concordia Damen, we stand at the forefront of this transition, ensuring that cruising remains a good an profitable business to work in while becoming a clean and responsible endeavour.”
Chris Kornet's dedication to the maritime industry is not just a profession; it's a legacy. With sustainable innovation and a commitment to excellence, Concordia Damen Shipbuilding is poised to shape the future of river cruising.
