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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Svitzer will operate the tugs, an ASD 2310 named Svitzer Yuma and an ASD 2411 named Svitzer Freeport in and around the port area of Freeport on the Bahamian island of Grand Bahama. Though Svitzer has ordered vessels from Damen previously, these are the first orders from Svitzer USA in Miami. Damen Manager North America Jan van Hogerwou said he is excited by the development.
Damen Global Account Manager for Svitzer Martijn Smit explained that Svitzer required a fast turnaround on their order, which made Damen’s off-the-shelf approach a natural selection. “Svitzer Yuma was ordered towards the end of last year and Svitzer Freeport in February this year. Both vessels will be delivered simultaneously to the client at the beginning of June.”
The tugs are being built at Damen Shipyards Changde. The Chinese yard, specialising in the delivery of tugs and workboats, features a production hall for vessels up to 26m, making it the ideal location for the construction of both vessels.
Both Svitzer Yuma and Svitzer Freeport have already been launched and are currently undergoing final outfitting. They will undergo trials in May, after which they will be delivered to the client in Shanghai. From Shanghai the vessels will be transported as heavy-lift cargo to Freeport.
Freeport is the industrial centre of the Bahamas. The port area, which is managed by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, sees a lot of maritime activity from both tourist and industrial sectors. Svitzer plays an important role in the local maritime economy, currently operating four vessels in Grand Bahama.
Martin Helweg (CEO Svitzer Americas LTD – Miami), Marinus Lorwa (COO Svitzer Americas LTD – Miami), Jan van Hogerwou (Manager North America, Damen Shipyards Gorinchem)
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Upon arrival at their destination, Svitzer will hold a naming ceremony for the vessels. “We want to celebrate the arrival of the vessels with the community of Grand Bahama,” explained Marinus Lorwa, Chief Operating Officer of Svitzer Caribbean. “The ceremony will be attended by representatives of the Bahamian Government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority, as well as personnel from Damen and our own crew and their families.”
The two-vessel order comes following Damen’s recent delivery of three ATD 2412 tugs and an ASD 3212 to Svitzer. Mr Lorwa explained his reasons for selecting Damen: “We chose Damen because of their excellent reputation and for the outstanding products they deliver. I’ve worked with Damen previously and I’m very pleased with the concept, with the vessels and also with the after-sales care. That, for me, is what pushed the button.”
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5,000 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, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 15 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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