Fratelli Neri S.p.A., the family-owned, Livorno-based harbour towage company, has ordered three new Damen vessels; an ASD Tug 2913, a Stan Tug 1606 and a Stan Launch 1305, the last for its subsidiary company Labromare, which is 50% owned by Tripmare S.p.A. All three vessels will operate in and around the port of Livorno, one of the busiest in the Mediterranean Sea. Delivery will take place in November this year.
This order takes to six the number of Damen vessels ordered by Fratelli Neri in the past year. In January 2016 the company took delivery of an ASD Tug 3212, the first in the Mediterranean to be fitted with a render recovery winch. Several months earlier it also purchased two used Stan Tugs 2608 via Damen Trading.
The three latest vessels are all being purchased from stock. As well as its positive experience with its existing Damen vessels, the ability to guarantee rapid delivery was a significant factor in Damen winning this latest order. The ASD 2913 is currently in build at Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania, and will now undergo modifications to ensure full compliance with Italian flag requirements. This will include FiFi1, oil recovery capability and an aft bridge. Fratelli Neri selected the ASD 2913 based on its powerful yet compact design. 80 tonnes of bollard pull will give it all the power it will need for operations in the busy port of Livorno on Italy’s Tuscany coast, and the excellent manoeuvrability will also be a valuable asset.
The Stan Tug 1606 has been ordered for operations on the coastal and inland waters around Livorno. This proven design, which has been sold all over the world, is both robust and compact making it ideal for restricted waterways. Currently being held in stock at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, the Netherlands, the vessel will be brought up to Italian flag standard with modifications including fire-fighting apparatus and an aft towing winch.
The last vessel, a Stan Launch 1305 is also currently in stock at Gorinchem. This will be used by Labromare S.r.l. Livorno to deliver a range of environmental services in Italy and will be fitted with a bow thruster and an aft towing hook.
Andrea Trevisan, Damen Sales Manager North, West and South Europe, commented: “We are honoured to be serving Fratelli Neri again, and so quickly. It is always a pleasure to work with another successful and prestigious Italian family business with values very similar to our own. Once again, Damen’s policy of building for stock has enabled a vessel operator to obtain customised, high quality vessels in substantially shorter time frames than is possible when building to order. These three vessels also represent a cross section of the various capabilities that that the group can provide its clients, and we are confident that each will give many years of efficient service.”
Piero NERI, owner of Fratelli Neri, stated: “We are delighted to have again chosen Damen for their ability and readiness to respond to our demand for tugs that can be deployed across a range of different operations. We have recently experienced excellent cooperation with Damen, from the earliest discussions right up to the delivery of the vessels, with the personnel on both sides working together as a team. This way of working is a reflection of our shared values and reliability that lead to technical solutions lasting long into the future.”