Damen launches first of two Ro-Pax ferries for Canadian customer
Damen Shipyards Galaţi in Romania recently launched the MV Veteran, an 80-metre ice class Ro-Pax ferry. The vessel represents the first of a two-vessel contract, with a design stemming from a Canadian-Danish partnership between Fleetway and Knud E. Hansen, the shipbuilding group said in a press release.
“We are working very hard to deliver these ferries on schedule and on budget,” says Damen Manager North America Jan van Hogerwou. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery to the province in the fall of this year and in early 2016. Both ferries will be able to transport up to 60 cars and 200 passengers.
The launch coincides with Damen taking a step further towards setting up a Damen certified service and maintenance centre in St. John’s – the capital of the Newfoundland and Labrador region. “We are currently in conversation with a number of potential local service partners and we foresee entering into partnership with one of two of them,” continues Mr Hogerwou. “This represents a commitment to the Canadian market, which, ultimately, should pave the way towards local economic benefits and future construction opportunities.”
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 ship- and repair yards, employing 8,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers approximately 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Damen specializes in the construction of a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high-speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and super yachts. Besides, Damen offers a variety of marine components, especially nozzles, (flap-type) rudders, steering gear, anchors, anchor chains and steel works. In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 16 repair and conversion yards worldwide, with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to meet today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DS&C handles 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.
