Global towage operator Svitzer has signed a contract with the Damen Shipyards Group for four ATD 2412 tugs as part of Svitzer’s ongoing fleet renewal program. All four tugs are being built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. Demonstrating the advantages to be gained from building vessels for stock, Damen is handing over the first two vessels just one month after contract signing.
Svitzer has the first two tugs signed up for port towage operations at its Dominican Republic joint venture with Remolcadores Dominicanos. Damen will deliver these vessels, to be called Svitzer Maimon and Svitzer Beata, in mid-April 2016. The second two tugs are due for completion in August 2016.
All four vessels are of Damen’s 24-meter Azimuth Tractor Drive (ATD) design. This compact, heavy duty tug yields a bollard pull of over 65 metric tons – the power originating from twin Caterpillar 3516C main engines.
A top speed of 12 knots and a powerful aft winch, combined with Damen’s experience with tug design, make these vessels suitable for consistent and effective harbor towage activities.
Damen has a long relationship with Svitzer. In addition to building a significant part of the Denmark-headquartered company's fleet, the two parties are also involved in developing new innovations together. For example, the first ever Reverse Stern Drive Compressed Natural Gas tug, in cooperation with MTU Friedrichshafen.
This contract is the first between Damen and Svitzer since Damen’s new Key Account Manager for the towage company, Chiel de Leeuw, took up the post following the retirement of his predecessor, Martijn Smit. De Leeuw worked on this multiple vessel signing along with Damen Manager North America, Jan van Hogerwou.