Second of Damen’s innovative wind farm maintenance SOV 9020 class is delivered to Bibby Marine Services

The second of Damen’s innovative Accommodation Support Vessel (ASV) 9020 has been handed over to Bibby Marine Services at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. On her arrival in the North Sea, the Bibby WaveMaster Horizon will begin maintenance work off the coast of Germany on two EnBW and Enbridge-owned windfarms– Hohe See and Albatros – for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and EnBW, the company said in its release.
 
The 90-metre ASV 9020 has been developed by Damen to meet the specific needs of the offshore renewable energy industry with regard to achieving high-efficiency, low-cost wind farm maintenance. It combines walk-to-work capabilities with an innovative interior and comprehensive features that together ensure maximum efficiency in accommodating and deploying multiple maintenance teams. DP2 and an innovative hull ensure a wide window of operability and excellent seakeeping.

“We are very pleased to be handing over Bibby’s second ASV 9020 Walk-to-Work vessel,” said Arjen van Elk, Damen sales manager for the UK and Ireland. “Following the celebrations of her naming ceremony earlier this year she is now fully ready to begin her first long-term contract. With two vessels in operation the ASV 9020 is most certainly a proven concept and Damen Shipyards Galati has once again demonstrated its ability to deliver sophisticated ships on time and to the highest standards.”

The build of what was to be the Bibby WaveMaster Horizon began in 2014 alongside that of its sistership, the Bibby WaveMaster 1, in anticipation of future demand. When Bibby Marine Services and Siemens Gamesa confirmed their contract at the end of 2017, Damen then accelerated construction to meet the required delivery date. This second order from Bibby was based on the very positive feedback that they have received from their clients regarding the Bibby WaveMaster 1.
 


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.