First US order for Damen Marine Components

The Netherlands-based Damen Marine Components (DMC) has secured its first multi-vessel order to supply components for four Multi Cats under construction in the US.

The news brings further success in the tightly regulated US market for Damen and follows on from an agreement with Louisiana-based Conrad Shipyard in 2021 to build two Multi Cat 3013 workboats for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, the first reference for US-built Damen Multi Cats. A range of components is now being supplied to US shipbuilder C&C Marine & Repair for four new Multi Cat 3013s, the same marque as the Conrad Shipyard pair. The first two are on order for Callan Marine and, taking a leaf out of Damen’s book of building vessels for stock, the second pair will be built ‘on spec’ by C&C Marine & Repair for sale or lease to the US market. The order for the 30m vessels involves components including piston-type steering gear; two tugger winches; an anchor winch; a towing winch; an anchor-handling winch; and two towing pin systems.

Reflecting the global nature of the shipbuilding industry, all will be designed and manufactured at DMC’s facilities in the Netherlands, Poland and China. DMC will also supply a triple rudder system to a third-party design for each vessel.

DMC says its equipment is: “… designed and built on the three principles of durability, reliability and low maintenance over the long term and in all conditions”, adding that all its towing winches are unique with gearboxes that automatically adjust to the required pulling force, enabling them always to run at the most efficient speed. The same technology is also used for the anchorhandling winches, a feature that maximises safety in often hazardous conditions.

DMC its products SAYScan be customised to meet client requirements and the equipment being supplied to the vessels being built for Callan Marine is designed to cope with a wide range of conditions from the subtropical climate of the Gulf of Mexico to freezing winters on the Great Lakes to the north. The four Multi Cats are scheduled for completion and delivery during 2023.

8 Navtek Naval Technologies is maintaining steady progress with development of its Zeetug zero-emissions all-electric tug.

Latest news from the Turkish shipbuilder is that the Gisaş Power 2 recently completed its sea acceptance trials satisfactorily, including tests to prove the vessel’s seaworthiness and proper construction in accordance with the original order. Along with its predecessor Gisaş Power, vessel number two is a Zeetug30 variant providing 30tbp on a vessel length of just 18.7m, Navtek offering the Zeetug range from five to 80 tonnes bollard pull. Faith in the future of the series is clearly strong with the next family member, Gisaş Power 3, being launched recently.

8 Two tugs that lived up to their names are reportedly earmarked to leave Bermudan waters after more than 30 years’ service.

The conventionally configured pair Powerful and Faithful were UK-built by Cochrane of Selby in 1988 and 1990, and have served the Bermuda Government Maritime Administration powerfully and faithfully since. As visiting vessels including cruise ships grew in size, the decision was taken to replace the pair with two Damen ASD 2811 tugs carrying the same names. Both are now at their new home, the older tugs reportedly due to head off to Trinidad.

8 News is awaited of the future of 40 offshore vessels, part of the Dutch Vroon Shipping Group, which faces restructuring with control being handed over to its lenders following a difficult trading year.

Family-owned Vroon has a history stretching back more than 130 years and operates a variety of vessels including tankers and livestock carriers, but it is its extensive offshore fleet, ranging from AHTS vessels to PSVs to ERRVs and walk-to-work vessels, that is generating particular interest. One industry rumour hints at disposal of the offshore fleet as a whole or in groups rather than individual vessel disposals.

8 Drew Shannon has been selected to join the Executive Committee of the International Salvage Union (ISU).

Following time with Svitzer Salvage and Ardent, Mr Shannon became owner and managing director of United Salvage, the only ISU member in Australia. The company was re-established in 2020 following a management buyout from previous owners Ardent, and is now regional salvor for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Mr Shannon also holds the position of a Special Casualty Representative.