Amels and Damen

Damen Yachting, a division within the Damen Shipyards Group, is the master yacht builder behind Amels superyachts, SeaXplorer luxury expedition yachts and the market leading Yacht Support vessels.

The shipyard boasts a yachting heritage that stretches back centuries. This maritime DNA has shaped the shipyard’s vision, ethos, and commitment to excellence, making an Amels or Damen Yachting yacht one of the most luxurious and sought-after yachts.

Amels began as a boat-building business in 1918 in the north of the Netherlands, building wooden fishing boats and steel tugboats. However, Amels’ visionary ethos drove the company to build bigger.

The shipyard started working on larger commercial ships and coasters. By the late 1970s, Amels branched into building luxury yachts. The first Amels luxury yacht was M/Y KATALINA (now LADY GEORGINA), an exquisite 48.15-meter yacht boasting naval architecture by Damen Yachting and an exterior design by Diana Yacht Design. Such was the yacht’s success that Amels continued to focus on this highly specialised and niche market sector.

In 1991 the Damen family acquired Amels, eventually moving the shipyard’s operation from Makum to larger facilities in Vlissingen. The Damen Shipyard was established in 1927 in the western Netherlands by two brothers, Jan and Marinus Damen.

Today, the Damen Yachting portfolio is the cornerstone of the iconic Damen Shipyards Group, a leading specialist shipbuilder and family owned business.

As well as custom luxury yachts, expedition and support yachts, Damen Yachting specialize in extensive yacht refits for yachts 50-meter plus, including yacht upgrades, repairs, and complete conversion services. The shipbuilder carries out refits for their fleet of Amels and Damen Yachting yachts and yachts delivered by other shipbuilders.

Amels’ largest superyacht is M/Y HERE COMES THE SUN, launched in 2016. When built, she was initially 83-meters; however, following an extensive refit in 2020/2021 by Damen Yachting, an additional 6-meters was added to her length due to an aft extension, allowing for a larger beach club, spa, and 7-meter swimming pool.
Boasting best-in-class cruising technology, M/Y HERE COMES THE SUN offers superb comfort thanks to her luxurious onboard amenities and zero speed marine stabilizers, making her one of the most recognised superyachts in the world.

Other iconic Damen Yachting yachts include the 62-meter SeaXplorer, M/YANAWA, the first SeaXplorer to be delivered and one of the world’s most advanced explorer yachts. Launched in 2020, she is designed for cruising the world’s most remote regions. This exquisite yacht boasts all the hallmarks of Damen Yachting coupled with state-of-the-art cruising technology and amenities. Her 30 days of full autonomy ensure her cruising grounds are limitless. Additionally, her stabilizers at anchor and underway ensure enhanced comfort levels even in the most extreme weather conditions.

Quantum works with the world’s most prestigious shipyards, including Damen Yachting. Contact us today to discover how our marine stabilizers can elevate your yachting experience.

Click here for more information on the Damen and Amels shipyard.