Baggerbedrijf De Boer B.V. (Dutch Dredging B.V.) has ordered two custom, special-purpose tugs to be built at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld in the Netherlands through the subsidiairy De Boer Remorquage SARL. The tugs are for a 10-year contract with Grand Port Maritime de Guyane in the ports of Cayenne and Kourou in French Guyana. Their primary functions will be assisting vessels entering and leaving port, and rendering help in the event of emergencies including fire-fighting. An important secondary role for both vessels will be assisting with maintenance dredging operations in both ports, Damen said in its press release.
The larger of the two, the WID 2915, will be configured for a variety of roles including dredging using the Air and Water Injection Dredging (AIRSET) method. The smaller ASD 2310 SD (Shallow Draught) tug will be fitted out to operate the equipment needed for bed-levelling, and will also carry out surveying activities. As these two tugs will be the only support vessels available to either port they can also be used for the transportation of equipment and cargo, up to container-sized loads.
Joining Dutch Dredging in the project is the IJmuiden-based Iskes Towage & Salvage, which will be Dutch Dredging’s co-owner in the French subsidiary company De Boer Remorquage SARL, which is the legal entity that ordered the vessels. It will also operate the tugs and will aim to employ and train a number of local staff and crew in the skills required to man and maintain workboats. Iskes already operates a number of Damen vessels, including three ASD 2810 tugs, and is due to take delivery of a Damen ASD 3212 in the next few weeks. Its operating experience in harbour towing and assistance has already provided valuable input for the design and build process.
The vessels have been designed to meet the needs of the end client; Grand Port Maritime de Guyane, which also contributed to the development of the designs via its own consultant, Hydro GC. The consultant checked and approved the design, and helped optimise the dredging-towing balance so as to achieve an equilibrium within the given specifications. Dutch Dredging contributed its knowledge of the unique technique of water and air injection dredging, that it has built up over 20 years. Its experience over the past 12 years of operating in the specific conditions of French Guyana has also been very useful.
The WID 2915 is due for delivery in February 2018, with the ASD 2310 SD joining it in November 2017.
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.
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.