Damen hands over four FCS 2610 vessels to Allianz during ADIPEC

Damen Shipyards Group has handed over four new Fast Crew Suppliers (FCS) 2610 to Allianz Middle East Ship Management. The handover took place between Ahmed T. Khalil, general manager of Allianz, Menno Kuyt, managing director Maritime Craft Services (MCS) and Pascal Slingerland, DAMEN regional sales director.

The four FCS vessels have been equipped with hydraulically operated bow gangways – the first of their kind. DAMEN has developed the gangways in cooperation with oil majors and vessel operators. They are adjustable and can facilitate safe crew transfer at any offshore structure with access between 0.5 and 2 metres in height.

Mr. Khalil said, “We are convinced that these new boats are contributing to providing our valued client ADNOC with a safe and enhanced logistic services solution.”

Pascal Slingerland said of the handover, “The FCS 2610 was originally developed for crew transfer in the North Sea offshore industry, but has gone on proven its capabilities on numerous occasions with oil majors in the Middle East region. The further customisation of these vessels will ensure their suitability to meet the requirements, both of the client and of operating in the region. On behalf of Damen, I congratulate Allianz Middle East Ship Management on the delivery of these new additions to their fleet, alongside a number of other DAMEN vessels.”

The Fast Crew Suppliers have been modified at Albwardy DAMEN to meet the operational requirements of the Middle East. At the same time, the gangways were installed and the accommodation was prepared so that it could host 50+ persons on board.

Allianz has also recently taken delivery of a DAMEN Multi Cat 3013, built at Albwardy Damen, as well as a Shoalbusters 3209 from DAMEN Marine Services. The new boats join three FCS 2610 vessels already in operation with Allianz. Mr. Kuyt’s participation in the signing ceremony relates to a cooperation between Allianz and UK-based MCS for the operation of Allianz’s FCS 2610, Multi Cat and Shoalbuster vessels. MCS operates a fleet of FCS 2610 vessels in the North Sea and is very experienced in crew transfer operations.

The newly delivered FCS 2610 vessels will undertake work in the ADMA oil field in Abu Dhabi, providing logistics services and safe crew transfer, as part of a 5-yeard contract awarded to ADNOC LS and ADNOC Offshore. The contract will commence as of December 5th, 2018.  


Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 35 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. DAMEN has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 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, winches, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating and (covered) drydocks, the largest of which is 420 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.