Damen Shiprepair Harlingen receives order for freight catamaran conversion

Rederij Doeksen have contracted Damen Shiprepair Harlingen to carry out the conversion of their 47.15-metre long freight catamaran Noord-Nederland. The conversion work will provide Rederij Doeksen with increased capacity to manage seasonal fluctuations in freight demands, the company said in its press release.

Rederij Doeksen operates a fleet of passenger ferries that run services between the Dutch mainland and the picturesque Wadden Sea islands of Terschelling and Vlieland. The fleet is complemented by the Noord-Nederland, which serves as a cargo and refuse freighter for the same routes.

The Noord-Nederland has been a member of Rederij Doeksen’s fleet since 2002; a date that signifies an important step in the division of freight and passenger transport for the company. "The separate transport of passengers, cargo and rubbish marked a big improvement,” says Rederij Doeksen Director Paul Melles. “This vessel conversion is a continuation of this development.”

After the conversion, the Noord-Nederland’s increased capacity will allow Rederij Doeksen to respond more effectively to seasonal fluctuations in freight as well as provide project-based services for construction projects on the islands.

Damen Shiprepair Harlingen has already commenced preparations for the conversion process. A major part of their work will be lengthening the vessel’s hull by about 20 metres. This is scheduled for January 2017; when the yard will cut the ship in half and insert a new mid-section. After this procedure, the vessel will measure 67.25 meters in length.

Rederij Doeksen have also specified new engines, new rudders and an additional bow thruster. Completion of the work is expected in late February 2017.

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 16 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.