12, November 2025 – Damen has announced its acquisition of I.M.E Group Ltd, a company located in Southampton. The decision follows several years of cooperation that began with the establishment of Damen Services’ UK Service Hub in 2021. Through this step, Damen aims to secure broader lifecycle support for clients across the UK, covering on-site engineering, docking work, maintenance and the supply of parts for both Damen and non-Damen vessels.

Damen Services UK Director Edwin van der Poel stated that the two firms have aligned well in recent years through shared operational standards and close coordination. He added that bringing I.M.E into the organisation reinforces the service structure available to UK customers. I.M.E founder Paul Langford noted that the collaboration with Damen Services and the UK Service Hub team developed naturally from the outset, and that the transition strengthens I.M.E’s ability to serve its clients.

Damen’s UK Service Hub was set up in Southampton to support operators of Damen vessels working in the English Channel area and to maintain ties with local suppliers. The choice of location led to frequent engagement with I.M.E, which has provided continuous repair and maintenance services to maritime and energy-sector customers since its founding in 2006. In 2023, the two parties signed an MoU granting Damen Services access to I.M.E’s facilities, including offices, workshops, a yard and related equipment.

Damen Services UK has also expanded its activities by opening an office in Portchester, positioned next to a docking site with synchrolift capabilities. The acquisition of I.M.E represents the latest development in the ongoing cooperation between the two organisations and supports Damen’s service operations within the UK.