Iskes Towing & Salvage has taken delivery of a Damen ASD 3212 tug named Mercurius. The Netherlands-based tug operator’s fleet now includes three Damen builds, all constructed in the last four years. Iskes financed this new tug with Damen’s flexible leasing option, which they have previously taken advantage of with the Argus, a Damen ASD Tug 2810 delivered in 2011, the company said in its press release.
“We used the same leasing option with the Argus,” explains Iskes Towing & Salvage Managing Director Ronald Vergouwen. “After 18 months we bought the vessel outright.” Damen’s financing flexibility means shipowners face less of the administrative hurdles and delays thrown up by today’s financial markets. “The financing process takes much longer than in the past. Making a quick purchase, which is sometimes needed to pursue an opportunity, is almost impossible. In the present economic climate, Damen's lease option makes it easier and faster for us to expand our fleet.”
Since delivery, the ASD 3212 Mercurius has been operating under charter at the Port of Rotterdam. Dirk Martens, Technical Manager at Iskes Towage & Salvage, describes the reliable and no-nonsense performance of the new 82t bollard pull tug: “The Mercurius does what it has to do. That’s the big advantage with Damen’s design – there are no surprises.” Damen’s after sales service is also very good, according to Mr Martens. “With just one contact person for the first year, it’s a very streamlined way to do business.”
To assure Iskes of a fast delivery, the worldwide Damen network came into play with the majority of fabrication taking place at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam.
“We had the opportunity for an earlier transport to the Netherlands so we decided to finish the tug at Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam,” says Damen Sales Director Benelux Mijndert Wiesenekker. By completing construction at Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam (part of the Damen Shipyards Group), the delivery time was significantly reduced. “It’s great that Damen can support Iskes’ growth with fast deliveries of standard ASD tugs. What’s more – the option of ‘leasing now and buying later’ really supports a company looking to rapidly expand.”