Damen to build 14 terminal tugs for Kuwait Oil Company
Damen and Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) have signed a contract for 14 Damen ASD Tugs. An extensive process of yard prequalification and tender evaluation finally resulted in an award to Damen this summer. The series consist of two types, with 9 tugs of Damen’s recently launched 3212 model and 5 units of the well-known 2810 design, providing 80 respectively 50 tons of bollard pull. While being based on existing Damen designs, these tugs have been extensively tailored to meet KOC’s exacting requirements on layout, systems and performances.
As part of KOC’s long term strategy of increasing the country’s export capacity, substantial investments are being made to expand the marine facilities in coming years. The new tugs will be assisting tankers at nearshore loading terminals and at the new single point moorings further offshore, for which they will also be equipped with a powerful fire fighting system.
The cooperation between KOC and Damen goes back to late 1980’s, when Damen delivered steel crew / pilot tenders and the large fire fighting / terminal tug “Sabahi” to KOC. In the early nineties, after liberation from the Iraqi invasion, Damen delivered to KOC a complete new fleet of tugs, crew tenders, work boats and mooring boats. Damen has supported KOC throughout all these years with provision of technical services, spare parts, and maintenance / renovation assistance.
Damen’s naval architects and designers in The Netherlands have already started working on the development of this unique series of state-of-the-art tugs. Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania will be constructing all 14 units, with deliveries scheduled from 2014 onwards.
Damen Shipyards Group (est. 1927) operates more than 45 shipyards, repair yards and related companies worldwide. Damen employs over 6,000 people in 34 countries, has delivered over 5,000 vessels since 1969 and delivers up to 150 vessels annually. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept and short delivery times, Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation and modular construction leads to short delivery times (Damen keeps vessels in stock), low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale value, proven technology and reliable performance. Damen offers a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, offshore support vessels, oil-spill response vessels and even frigates and super yachts. In addition to shipbuilding, Damen offers efficient customer support, customer financing and complete lifecycle service.
