Damen Shipyards builds modular dock for Djibouti

Damen Shipyards is building a Damen Modular Dock (DMD) 4020 for Djibouti. The 50 m x 20 m dry dock  will be used for repair and maintenance of the Djibouti Port Authorities’ own fleet and will also be available for port-calling vessels.

The dock is currently under construction in Dubai, with completion scheduled for the second half of 2012. After testing in Dubai and delivery of the dock in Djibouti, a Damen Services team will stay on location for two years to give operational and technical support. Damen Services in Gorinchem (The Netherlands) will support the dock operations by supplying parts, equipment and expertise.

The Damen Modular Dock 4020 can be built worldwide and can be used in various roles. It can be outfitted with cranes, accommodation units, roller blocks, workshop units, sandblast curtains and dock mooring systems. With an ISO 14001 certification, it meets the latest standards in environmental care. Features include low emission motors, LED lighting and dedicated systems for waste management and spills avoidance.

The dock’s secret lies in the simplicity of its construction, consisting of two wing walls coupled to a number of individual pontoons. Marcel Karsijns, Damen’s Manager Special Projects, says: “Every unit measures 10 meters. You can enlarge the dock to a length of 100 meters whenever you choose. Modules and wing walls are coupled afloat. It’s equally simple to unlock the components. You can upkeep and repair these modules in the dock itself, making the dock self-maintaining. In addition, the dock contributes to the uptime and success of our customer’s fleet.”

February 21, 2012