Ӧresund, Sweden-based BogserTeam Ӧresund (BTӦ), part of MarCon gruppen, recently signed a contract with the Damen Shipyards Group for the delivery of a Damen ASD Tug 2810. MarCon gruppen is currently experiencing growth and is undertaking a programme of renewal and expansion to its fleets.
The ASD 2810 is currently being built on series at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. The completed vessel will be delivered to the client in June 2016, after which she will sail under her own keel to Sweden. Here, she will join two other tugs currently operated by BTӦ and carry out harbour and escort towage duties in the Sound, between Denmark and Sweden.
Bill Söderberg, a Director within MarCon gruppen, explained his reasons for ordering his company’s new vessel from Damen. “We needed a tug with a good reputation and capability and Damen has a proven track record with the ASD 2810. The standardisation was also an important factor for us; it means that we don’t have to dedicate a part of our operation to supervising a newbuild project in a shipyard for several months.”
Additionally, MarCon gruppen already operates two Damen vessels – a Shoalbuster 2609 and a Twin Axe 2610 – and the experience with these two vessels also helped Bill in his decision-making. “These vessels have performed well and the purchasing process and after-sales care helped us to build a good working relationship with Damen. This gave me a lot of confidence when we needed a new tug.”
Before signing the contract, Bill and his colleague Hans Andersson accompanied Damen Sales Manager Chiel de Leeuw to 360-Control Tug & Offshore Simulator Training Centre in IJmuiden, the Netherlands where they experienced an ASD 2810 simulator. Additionally, they had the opportunity to sail on board an actual ASD 2810 to get an idea of the vessels’ performance. Thoroughly satisfied with the experience, Mr Andersson commented that the vessel was “like being in a Ferrari!”
Mr De Leeuw: “Because of Damen’s practice of building in series, we were able to give the client the chance to experience the vessel first-hand before committing to ordering one themselves. That way, they know exactly what to expect when they take delivery of their own vessel next year. At the same time, we are able to get a clear picture of the client’s needs and make sure we tailor our series production vessel entirely to their needs.”
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 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, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 15 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.
For further information please contact
Ben Littler
Communications Advisor
31 (0)183 65 5546
31 (0)610 46 5742
Ben.Littler@damen.com
www.damen.com