Global towage operator Svitzer has signed a contract with the Damen Shipyards Group for four ATD 2412 tugs as part of Svitzer’s ongoing fleet renewal programme. All four tugs are being built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. Demonstrating the advantages to be gained from building vessels for stock, Damen is handing over the first two vessels just one month after contract signing.
Svitzer has the first two tugs signed up for port towage operations at its Dominican Republic joint venture with Remolcadores Dominicanos. Damen will deliver these vessels, to be called Svitzer Maimon and Svitzer Beata, in mid-April 2016. The second two tugs are due for completion in August 2016.
All four vessels are of Damen’s 24-metre Azimuth Tractor Drive (ATD) design. This compact, heavy duty tug yields an tonne bollard pull of over 65 tonnes – the power originating from twin Caterpillar 3516C main engines.
A top speed of 12 knots and a powerful aft winch, combined with Damen’s experience with tug design, make these vessels suitable for consistent and effective harbour towage activities.
Damen has a long relationship with Svitzer. In addition to building a significant part of the Denmark-headquartered company's fleet, the two parties are also involved in developing new innovations together. For example, the first ever Reverse Stern Drive® Compressed Natural Gas tug, in cooperation with MTU Friedrichshafen.
This contract is the first between Damen and Svitzer since Damen’s new Key Account Manager for the towage company, Chiel de Leeuw, took up the post following the retirement of his predecessor, Martijn Smit. Mr De Leeuw worked on this multiple vessel signing along with Damen Manager North America, Jan van Hogerwou. “As Svitzer’s main point contact within Damen, I am looking forward to continuing this successful and enjoyable relationship,” Mr De Leeuw says. “This large contract is a good indication of our continued future cooperation.”
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.
Damen offers 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 superyachts.
For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 15 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.