Damen delivers its first tug to be Argentinian owned

Argentinian towage and harbor company Remolcadores Unidos Argentinos (RUA) has just taken delivery of the  Damen ASD 2810 tug RUA Cap. Lucio R. This is the first delivery of a Damen tug to an Argentinian company, though Damen tugs have operated in Argentina before.

RUA has a seven-strong fleet of vessels with a smaller bollard pull than the ASD 2810 newbuild, which delivers a 58 t bollard pull, enabling it to meet the needs of the larger vessels now calling into Argentina’s ports.

The Damen ASD 2810 is tailor-made for harbor operations, says Mr .Ezequiel Najmias, Damen Sales Manager Americas, noting that: “It is the perfect design for operating in Buenos Aires.” Comfortably able to accommodate 10-crew, the tug was from stock so it could be delivered very quickly, he said.  An order was officially placed in October 2011 and the tug was delivered in mid-February.

Built at Damen Shipyards Changde in China, the vessel had to embark on a two-month journey to reach Argentina – believed to be the longest journey a Damen tug has made. “A Damen crew sailed her over and she arrived in perfect condition. It is very satisfying to see the client and the crew happy,” Mr. Najmias adds.

A spare parts package was delivered with the vessel and in addition Damen offered help from its Customer Finance Department. Both parties agreed on a financing schedule so RUA could get the vessel as soon as possible.

“The Argentinian economy is growing very fast; I think there will be plenty more opportunities for cooperation in the future,” Mr Najmias says.

“We are already thinking of a second unit,” said Dr Carlos Ruiz Moreno, RUA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

February 29, 2012