Regular customer returns to Damen

In addition to the Shoalbuster, Seacontractors will also take delivery of two Stan Tug 3011s in what has been described as a milestone in Seacontractors’ fleet expansion strategy with potential to increase the company’s offshore oil and gas, and terminal services capabilities.

Established in 2004, Seacontractors originally offered a range of specialised marine services, becoming experts in chartering and contracting in the towage and heavy lift industry, personnel services and the sale and purchase of marine equipment. They are now an established marine service provider operating in virtually every area of the offshore energy, maritime infrastructure, towage and salvage and shiphandling sectors. A recent area of activity has been supporting vessels in the offshore wind industry.

Seacontractors are no strangers to the product range of Damen, their current fleet list standing at 16 vessels eight of which are Damen Shoalbusters covering a range of the popular shallow-draught tug. The new Shoalbuster will be a 3209 variant becoming the third such in the company’s fleet. To be named Sea India it will be the first Shoalbuster in their fleet equipped to fifi1 standard. As well as additional engineering, Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld is supervising the customisation of the vessel from stock at Damen Shipyards Sharjah in the UAE with delivery due imminently.

The order for the two Stan Tug 3011s (to be named Atlantis and Dian Kingdom) are of particular interest in that Seacontractors will be the launch customer for the new 70tbp design. Extensive customisation will increase the vessels’ capabilities for anchor handling and fire-fighting and includes changing the aft deck layout and lengthening the after part of the vessels by 1m to create an open stern with a roller. A waterfall winch, supplied by DMT will be installed and the focussing on anchor handling duties includes capacity for a 15 to 20 tonne anchor on the afterdeck. The tugs are under construction at Damen’s new Song Cam shipyard in Vietnam and due to be delivered in June 2015.

On the occasion of the signing of the contract for the new vessels in Middelburg, and commenting on the Stan Tug 3011 element of the order, Seacontractors managing owner Xander Schanssema said: “What drew us to the STu 3011 is the wider design – compact with extra space on deck” adding “We’ve put a lot of thought into these vessels, ensuring they meet the tough requirements set by our clients, particularly in the Middle East.

Damen sales manager Benelux, Jeroen van Woerkum commented: “Seacontractors is the perfect launching customer for us, working at a high calibre and well known in the industry, Seacontractors is an important customer for Damen”.

By Peter Barker