Global: Damen’s largest ever stock-vessel transport began in Shanghai

This is Damen’s largest transportation of stock vessels to date. Upon arrival in Europe later this month, the completed vessels will be ready for immediate sale and can swiftly be put into operation.

Damen has already sold a number of the vessels being transported. Amongst these are two Fast Crew Suppliers (FCS) 2610 to be used at North Sea offshore wind parks. The transport is a welcome opportunity to accommodate the requirements of clients on the west coasts of Africa and Europe looking for smaller tugs and pontoons. By having a global spread of strategic stock available, Damen always ensures short delivery times of popular vessels.

The scope of the transport was derived with a close eye on the needs of clients in Scandinavia, Western Europe and Africa. Rimmert Berlijn, Damen Service Coordinator Heavy Lift, explains: “We took a lot of time to carefully consider what vessel types we would transport, and in what numbers, in order to best serve the requirements of a wide range of clients.”

Following the initial loud-out and embarkation from Shanghai, the transport made calls at the Vietnamese ports of Hai Phong and Da Nang and at Singapore to collect additional vessels. Included in the transport are Damen ASD Tugs 2310, 2411 and 3212, Stan Tugs 1606, 1004 and 1907, Stan Pontoons 5213 and 3011 and the above mentioned FCS 2610 vessels.

As a result of this large-scale, multiple vessel transport, clients active in various industries such as fish farming, heavy lifting, contracting work, harbour assistance and dredging will benefit from reduced shipping costs.

The Damen stock-vessels are ready for operation, though they can still be outfitted with client specific options. Upon arrival in Europe, the vessels will receive final touch-ups and cleaning before delivery to clients or distribution to various Damen shipyards.

Damen Service Coordinator Deliveries John Slijkoord explained Damen’s selection of BigLift for the project, saying, “As soon as we got the completed scope we put it out on the market with our requirements– BigLift met all of these.” The heavy-lift specialist operates a fleet of fifteen vessels. Happy Star is equipped with two 900 tonne heavy-lift mast cranes, 3,280 m2 of unobstructed deck space, and a weather deck with pontoon hatch covers extending the full length of the ship.