Damen set to deliver tugboat trio to Venezuela

Damen Shipyards will soon deliver three tugboats to INEA (Instituto Nacional de los Espacios Acuaticos, the Venezuelan Aquatic Authority). This repeat-order follows a previous order for two Damen Stan Tugs purchased by INEA in 2009. The tugs will be used in the Venezuelan ports of Puerto Cabello and La Guaira, and will assist ships entering and leaving the harbor.

The vessels are a Stan Tug 2208, a Stan Tug 2608 and an ASD Tug 2810. They provide a  varying range of bollard pull and speed, but all are built using the DTC (Damen Technical Cooperation) concept. This enables customers Damen vessel of their choice locally, according to their particular requirements. This benefits the local economy and cuts the costs of transportation, reducing environmental impact.

“We have built over 200 of these tugs in about 30 years,” reports Damen’s sales director for the Americas, Sander van Oord. “There is a huge accumulation of knowhow in their design, gained over time with the feedback of our customers. This may very well be the secret of their continuous success.”

The use of standardized components guarantees that the vessels meet the same Damen quality standards worldwide. From the Netherlands based headquarters in Gorinchem, containers holding a prefabricated shipbuilding kit can be sent to shipyards around the globe.

Both of the INEA Stan Tugs were built in Cuba, at the Damex shipyard, located in the natural bay of Santiago de Cuba. Damex is a license holder and an after-sales service location for Damen Shipyards. A building capacity for up to 100 m steel and aluminium vessels, repair facilities and special services for yachts make Damex one of the biggest employers in Santiago de Cuba.

The ASD Tug 2810 was built at Damen Shipyards Galati (Romania) and is currently underway to Venezuela. Its specific measures could not be dealt with at the Damex wharf. However, a new slipway is under construction at Damex and the shipyard will shortly accommodate this type of ship, too.

The DTC concept is being carried out in Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Canada.

January 18, 2012