Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (DSR) announced that it completed routine maintenance and repair work on the Columbus, the latest addition to the Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) fleet.

“The full scope of work was concluded within a tight timescale, thus ensuring that the vessel could sail to the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury, UK in time for her naming ceremony and inaugural cruise,” said Damen, in a prepared statement.

CMV regularly uses Damen’s various shipyard facilities for class work and routine drydockings.

The Columbus was a perfect fit for the Rotterdam yard due to its size, the group said.

“Not only is the Columbus 245 meters long, she also has a draught of 8.2 meters,” explained DSR Project Manager Vincent van Rulo. “For such vessel dimensions, the facilities that we have here at DSR are ideal. We feel honored to have been given the opportunity to work with CMV’s latest addition to the fleet.”

The Columbus arrived at the Rotterdam yard on May 13 and departed just over three weeks later.

With the overall aim of bringing the vessel into line with CMV’s high operational standards, Damen carried out a comprehensive scope of maintenance and repair.

Technical aspects included maintenance of the main engines, generators and thrusters as well as polishing of the ship’s propellers. The work also included maintenance of all lifeboats, tenders and davits in addition to cleaning and repair of ship’s tanks, the yard said.

“The key part of this contract was that we had a fixed timescale – the Columbus had to be in Tilbury for her naming ceremony and then to receive her first guests on June 11,” Van Rulo noted. “This called for anticipation and fast reaction to all issues that we came across.”

Such issues were diverse in nature; ranging from organizing the repair of the ship’s washing machines to the inspection and calibration of the passenger embarkation security and detection systems, Damen noted, in a prepared release.

The complexity of the project was heightened due to the fact that up to 700 crew members were staying on board while the ship was docked at the yard.

Since leaving Rotterdam, the Columbus is currently sailing on her first cruise under the CMV flag.

“We are very pleased with this new addition to our fleet – the Columbus has been well received by her first guests and the industry as a whole,” said CMV Chief Executive Officer Christian Verhounig. “And, once again, we are very happy with the work that Damen Shiprepair has achieved in such a short space of time.”