SAAM Towage contracts Damen for delivery of tug vessel
In August 2019 Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract with SAAM Towage for the delivery of an ASD Tug 2813 to SAAM Mexico for operations in the port of Veracruz. This order is the latest milestone in a business relationship spanning several decades and involving numerous vessels.
Due to an existing relationship built on previous shared success, SAAM Towage approached Damen sales manager Ezequiel Najmias with a possible order. Ezequiel used the opportunity to invite SAAM Towage representatives to visit the Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. This allowed the client to view the shipyard’s production line, where they were able to see the entire shipbuilding process, from steel cutting right through to completion, looking at different tug vessels at different stages of construction.
“Seeing the entire process first-hand was an insightful experience for all of us,” said Pablo E. Caceres, SAAM Towage technical director. “We were able to get a close-up view of Damen’s operational standards, which we find very impressive. Together with Damen’s excellent track record of previous deliveries, confirming their high standards in action is the reason we decided to order the vessel from Damen.”
Damen has a long and busy history of supplying vessels to the Latin American market. Its relationship with SAAM dates back to 1995, and has seen considerable evolution since then. As part of its growth management in the region, Damen partnered with Wilson Sons through the Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) in the 1990s, enabling Damen to support clients with vessel construction at a location of their choice.
The major port operator in the Americas, SAAM is a leading company providing towage services in South America and operates in thirteen countries over two continents.
“We’re very happy to supply SAAM Towage again,” said Ezequiel Najmias, “as a continuation of our productive relationship. The ASD Tug 2813 is highly manoeuvrable, while also being powerful and offering a high level of crew comfort, so it will certainly be an asset to the fleet. SAAM Towage requested a vessel with over 80 tonnes bollard pull, and the ASD Tug 2813 is an ideal fit, with a maximum bollard pull of 85 tonnes and a top speed of 13 knots.”
The ASD Tug 2813 is a standard Damen product, allowing Damen to guarantee the fast delivery of a proven product. The ASD 2813 Tug’s systems are modular, allowing the possibility for customisation to the client’s requirements without incurring massive additional costs. On this occasion, SAAM Towage’s only additional option was the inclusion of a FiFi1 unit, providing firefighting capability to the vessel.
The ASD Tug 2813 will be delivered from Damen’s Song Cam shipyard to SAAM Mexico in January 2020.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,500 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers around 175 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.
Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.
For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, winches, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating (and covered) drydocks, including the longest, 420 x 80 metres, and the widest, 405 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.
About SAAM Towage
Chilean multinational company, SAAM, has over 50 years’ experience and operates in 12 countries throughout North, Central and South America. The company is the major port operator and the leading company providing towage services in America and the fourth-largest towage services provider in the world.
