A keel-laying ceremony was held yesterday, December 11 2014 at Damen Shipyards Sharjah (a new facility in the Dutch Group) for two new vessels ordered by Sharjah Ports Authority, the Dutch shipbuilding company said Thursday.
Mr. Mohammed Meer Al Sarrah, Director of the Department of Seaports and Customs at the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority and Sharjah Airport International Free Zone presided over the ceremony.
The United Arab Emirates port and customs authority has been a long-term customer of Damen and already has eight Damen Stan Tugs in its fleet. The new Damen ASD Tug 2411 is the port’s first ASD tug and the Damen Stan Pilot 1605 FRP, boasts the latest pilot boat design, with a chimed hull and modified Axe Bow, providing superior sea keeping abilities. The new pilot vessel is capable of 33 knots.
The order for the two new vessels is the first time the Port Authority will take delivery of vessels built in Hamriyah Free Zone in Sharjah, which is one of three ports owned by Sharjah Ports Authority.
With a 67 tonne bollard pull ahead, the Damen ASD Tug 2411 will be deployed in Khor Fakkan, while the pilot boat will be stationed in Port Khalid. The ASD Tug, which is equipped with FiFi 1 and water spraying notation.
Based in the Hamriyah Free Zone, Damen Shipyards Sharjah FZE was opened by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah on January 13, 2014. Currently, eight vessels are under construction at the yard - four Damen ASD Tug 2411 and four ASD Tug 2810 types.
In addition, ASD training is being provided by Damen after delivery of the vessel.
Damen Shipyards Sharjah has a 5,200 tonne ship lift and is suitable for new build vessels, repairs, maintenance and conversion activities. Full-time Damen service and warranty engineers are also based in Sharjah.
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.