Damen books its last new build for 2016 on 31st December

The last newbuild order of 2016 for the Damen Shipyards Group was signed on the 31st of December with DAB Vloot of Belgium. The vessel will be a 25-metre ferry especially designed to carry vehicles and passengers across the canal linking Ghent and Terneuzen, the company said in its press release.

Even though the journey time each way for the ferry will be little more than five minutes, the complex route and the minimal room for manoeuvre in the busy waterway means that she will be fitted with twin Voith Schneider propellers (cycloidal drives) to give her the agility required for safe and timely passages. Power will be provided by twin diesel engines delivered via reduction gearboxes, and shaft generators will supply electrical power for onboard systems. An emergency generator rated at 14.5 kVA will also be installed.

DAB Vloot is a highly experienced, government-owned vessel operator, supplying and operating over forty five vessels for the public sector - government, education and research agencies - along the coast of Vlissingen, in the Scheldt area and on the Ghent-Terneuzen canal. The range of vessels is highly diverse, including tugs, work boats, patrol boats, hydrographic research vessels and a variety of ferries. DAB Vloot and Damen have a record of working together in the past. Damen vessels in the fleet include a 2706 Stan Patrol, SPN-09, two multi-function Shoalbusters; the Zeeschelde and Zeetijger, and the Simon Stevin, a 36m research vessel

The new ferry will be named Cyriel Buysse and is scheduled for delivery in March 2018. The build will take place at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld in cooperation with Damen Shipyards Gorinchem.

Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 33 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.