Moroccan frigate drydocks at Damen Shiprepair Brest

NOVEMBER 6, 2014 — The Royal Moroccan Navy’s Damen-built frigate Tarik Ben Ziyad has returned to the Damen Shipyards Group for its first routine drydocking after three years of operation. The SIGMA multi-mission frigate 10513 – built at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) in the Netherlands – arrived at Damen Shiprepair Brest in France on 24 October for a maintenance programof approximately 30 days.

“As the Original Equipment Manufacturer, we’re very proud to welcome back the Royal Moroccan Navy to Damen for Tarik Ben Ziyad’s first scheduled docking outside the warranty period,” said André Hollander, General Affairs Officer at Damen Shiprepair Brest. “The Captain told us that the Royal Moroccan Navy has had more days at sea over the last three years than planned with this multi-mission frigate. The Navy has been absolutely satisfied with the performance of the state-of-the art vessel, doing exactly what it was designed and built for.”

Tarik Ben Ziyad is the first of three SIGMA-class frigates that DSNS has built for the Royal Moroccan Navy. The frigates are equipped to conduct traditional naval tasks and maritime security operations as well as supporting humanitarian aid operations.

“This scheduled drydocking is a valuable opportunity to gain operational feedback on Damen’s high-tech naval products,” says John van Maastricht, Tender Manager Offshore/Naval & Conversion at Damen Shiprepair & Conversion. “We use that experience to develop new innovations for the SIGMA-class series.”

Damen’s SIGMA Naval Combatants concept is entirely flexible and can accommodate specific customer platform and combat system requirements.

SIGMA vessels are designed in a modular way, using standardized solutions with commercial off-the-shelf equipment where possible, enhanced by military standards where needed. Modules for a ship can be built in different locations around the world, depending on locally available manpower, skills and facilities.

Damen Shiprepair Brest has a highly skilled workforce and excellent facilities. The shipyard has one of the biggest dry docks in Europe. Importantly for the docking of Tarik Ben Ziyad, the Damen Shiprepair Brest team also cooperates very closely with its colleagues in the original construction team at DSNS. This transfer of knowledge ensures the team in France executes the program of work to a very high standard while maintaining a strict deadline.

“Another benefit is Damen Shiprepair Brest’s French-speaking team,” Mr Hollander continues. “The Royal Moroccan Navy’s personnel are very fluent in French, which makes for very effective and comfortable communication during the docking. Throughout their stay, we will do our utmost to ensure our client’s full satisfaction.”