Damen Shipyards Group sells two Azimuth Stern Drive Tugs to Ecuador-based DLEN S.A.

Damen Shipyards Group has sold two Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) Tugs to Ecuador-based DLEN S.A. The vessels will give tug assistance during bunkering operations to Corpetrolsa’s fleet of tankers, a subsidiary of DLEN, as well as other vessels entering the ports of Esmeraldas and La Libertad, the company said in its release.

This latest two-vessel order follows hot on the heels of last year’s delivery of three Damen Stan Tugs to the DLEN. In terms of fuel efficiency, power and manoeuvrability, those three vessels have proven their worth to such an extent that the client returned to Damen with the desire to further expand its fleet of tugs.

The fleet expansion is a reflection on the need to assist the large tankers calling at Ecuador’s petroleum harbours. “These activities require powerful tugs to ensure safe and reliable operations. This is precisely the working environment in which Damen ASDs excel,” says Marnix Brouwer, Damen Sales Manager Latin America. “And therefore the reason that DLEN has purchased these vessels.”

Own keel deliveries
The two new vessels are an ASD 2411 and an ASD 2310, built at Damen’s yards in China and Vietnam respectively. Both vessels were available from stock, and so enabled Damen to offer the shortest delivery times possible.

The ASD 2411 – named ASD Nanda – is already operational in Ecuador after sailing on her own keel from the Netherlands. The ASD 2310 – named ASD Isabella II – will be making her maiden voyage to Ecuador in the coming weeks. The arrival of the Isabella II will mark the moment that the client has increased its tug fleet to six all-Damen tugs.

Committed to development
The delivery of the ASD Nanda and ASD Isabella II is also notable because they are the first newbuild ASD Tugs working in Ecuador. “With the purchase of these modern ASD tugs DLEN is showing its commitment to the maritime development in the country,” concludes Mr Brouwer.



Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,500 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers around 175 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, including the longest, 420 x 80 metres, and the widest, 405 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.