Damen Shipyards, Vietnam's conglomerate Xuan Thien partner on green shipbuilding

The Netherlands’s Damen Shipyards Group and Vietnamese conglomerate Xuan Thien have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop a green shipbuilding facility and advance next-generation eco-friendly vessel technology in Vietnam.

The agreement was inked during the “From Port to Runway” forum early this week, witnessed by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Aukje de Vries and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Xuan Sang.

Under the deal, the two sides will collaborate on the Xuan Thien Nam Dinh green steel and deep-sea port complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh, a flagship project integrating clean energy solutions into heavy industry and logistics infrastructure.

A key part of the cooperation is the building of the Xuan Thien shipyard, where Damen will provide technology transfer, ship design, and advanced engineering, while Xuan Thien will supply green steel to ensure low-carbon production.

Once operational, the Xuan Thien-Damen shipyard is expected to be one of Southeast Asia’s most advanced shipbuilding centers, serving both domestic and export markets and strengthening Vietnam’s role in the global maritime sector.

Besides, both sides will also jointly develop electric and renewable-powered vessels, aiming to position Vietnam as a hub for green maritime technology amid the global shift toward decarbonized shipping.

Damen Shipyards is a global, Dutch-founded company that designs, builds, and services a wide range of maritime vessels. It is a family-owned business with a global presence, operating numerous shipyards and service hubs and building over 150 vessels annually.

Its extensive product portfolio includes tugs, workboats, patrol vessels, and superyachts, and it also has a dedicated naval division for warships and patrol boats.