Belgians order SWATH pilot boats from A&R

The contract

,

signed by Flemish Prime Minister Kris Peeters in Brussels

,

is for three 25m SWATH pilot tenders to be named

Westdiep

,

Wielingen

and

Westerschelde

,

as well as a 60m SWATH pilot station ship to be named W

elaar

,

for delivery 2011

and

2012. Reports said modernisation of the Belgian pilot boat fleet was urgently needed.

The order is one of the biggest ever for German SWATH ships

and

means that A&R has now sold its SWATH pilotage tender

and

station ship systems in three countries. Its boats already operate in German

and

Dutch ports.

Reports said Belgium’s MDK Agency for maritime

and

coastal services had based its decision to order the boats on Dutch experience. Dutch pilots operate one of the 25m tenders on the Schelde. A&R said the deal was also the result of ‘good operational experience’ reported by German pilots. They have operated 25m pilot tenders

and

a 50m station ship since 1999.

MDK is reportedly hoping for considerably more efficient pilot services with the new boats

,

which can operate in wave heights up to 4m

and

should thus be available for service almost the whole year round in Belgium.

The tenders will reportedly be delivered through 2011

and

the station ship the following year. The value of the order was not revealed but it will secure jobs at A&R

and

at its equipment suppliers until 2012

and

is one of only a few new orders for ships of any kind placed in German shipyards this year.

A&R said that including the new Belgian boats

,

it had now built or taken orders for 20 SWATH vessels of various types for customers worldwide.

By Tom Todd