New Zealand port to boost bollard pull capability with Damen ATD 2412

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Image: Damen Shipyards

The southernmost deep water port in New Zealand, South Port, has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Group, covering the delivery of a Damen Azimuth Tractor Tug (ATD) 2412.

The vessel will have 65 tonnes bollard pull and will replace an older 35 tonnes bollard pull vessel, vessel, bringing the port’s total bollard pull capability up to 105 tonnes and increasing safety margins in the handling of large vessels.

South Port has selected an ATD because of its ability to undertake indirect towage and for the vessel’s excellent maneuverability and power.

The contract has been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. Typically, the customer would have been able to visit Damen’s premises and supervise construction of the vessel. At the present time this is not possible.

South Port has, however, visited Damen’s clients in New Zealand and liked what it learned.

“We were impressed with the quality of the tugs Damen has delivered to other New Zealand ports,” said South Port General Manager Geoff Finnerty. “Their reputation for building long lasting reliable vessels was an important factor in choosing to partner with them.”

Damen sales manager Asia Pacific Sjoerd de Bruin said, “We are very honored by the trust placed in us by South Port with this contract at such a challenging time. This is a significant sale for Damen and investment for South Port, representing the largest capital expenditure since their company began in 1989. I am impressed with the proactive, efficient way they have managed the process. I am looking forward to delivering this vessel to them and have full confidence that she will meet their needs.”

Under Damen’s business model of building standardized vessels in series and for stock, the ATD Tug 2412 was already under construction at the Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam at the time of contract signing. The shipyard will complete construction and deliver the vessel in the third quarter of this year.

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