Damen awarded contract to build new diving bell ship for WSA Koblenz

WSA Koblenz (WasserSchiffahrtsAmbt) has awarded Damen Shipyards Group a contract to build a new diving bell ship. The ship will succeed an existing vessel – the Carl Straat, which has been in operation since 1963. The new vessel, like her predecessor, will operate in the River Rhine and its tributaries.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Heinrich Witte, President of the Directorate General for WSA Koblenz, said, "The new modern diving bell ship is a unique specimen. On the Rhine and its tributaries, this special vessel is needed to search for and recover lost cargo or wreckage. In addition, it will be used for important work on the river bed or for construction inspections."

The ship can also be used to produce barrel anchors in the gravel or rocky area and to carry out sampling by drilling with nitrogen icing. The modern diving bell system including the lifting device makes it possible for the ship to be able to travel on the Rhine and its tributaries and to operate without lowering the water level.

Damen Sales Manager Remko Bouma said, “We are very proud to receive this contract and are looking forward to building this new vessel. The existing vessel, the Carl Straat, has distinguished herself over decades of successful operation. It is an honour to be entrusted with the delivery of a vessel able to match this track record.”

Damen Project Manager Marius van Wijngaarden said, “We are very proud to build the new Carl Straat for the FMSW. This is such a special vessel. Really a one of a kind in the world and also, keeping in might the old Carl Straat is almost 60 years old, this is a once in a lifetime work experience. Besides that, this is the first time we are working for the FMSW Koblenz and we are looking forward to building more vessels for the WSA/FMSW in the future already.”

Do to the proven suitability of the Carl Straat the new vessel will draw heavily on its predecessor. DAMEN will, however, apply the latest technology to the new vessel to ensure its suitability for the years to come. The new ship will be equipped with high-performance diesel-electric propulsion compliant with EU stage V standards and guaranteeing a constant cruising speed of 13 km/h. With a total length of 69 m, the ship will be 17 m longer than the Carl Straat.

Damen will construct the vessel at DAMEN Shipyards Hardinxveld and has scheduled to deliver it to the client in 2020.



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.