Damen prepares for dredging support vessel demands

All three vessels, comprising two MultiCat workboats, a 2712 model and a 3313 SD (shallow draught) model along with a Shoalbuster 2711 tug/workboat, are from Damen’s standard range and include the capability to operate in shallow waters.

The MultiCat 2712 is scheduled for delivery in November 2025 with the MultiCat 3313 SD following in December the same year and the Shoalbuster due for delivery in February 2026.

Along with other builders of similar vessels, Damen employs a policy of building for stock in anticipation of future orders. This is based on the principle where each particular model in the builder’s portfolio is of a standard basic configuration with just final modifications as per individual owner’s specific requirements for a quick delivery time.

Damen’s crystal ball has however identified a potential future requirement for specific offshore and dredging activities in the region, its UAE shipyard ideally placed to have these vessels in stock close to any potential customer and supported by its full after-sales support and maintenance services in the region, including crew training.

Proven designs

The MultiCat and Shoalbuster range are two of Damen’s most popular products, both easily meeting definitions of tug and workboat, including in support of the dredging sector. The builder says all three are “more than capable” of undertaking anchor-handling, buoy-handling, dredging support, general port maintenance, plough dredging and towing/pushing.

The ability to meet emission regulations in their particular region of operations is now virtually standard and the vessels are fully prepared to be certified according to IMO Tier III regulations.

The Shoalbuster 2711 is a mid-range version of the support vessels marketed under Damen’s workboat group, with seven variants offered in vessel lengths from 23m to 36m.

With a conventional ship-shaped hull form, the Shoalbuster 2711 is fully equipped for towage operations, providing a bollard pull of 41t. It includes a waterfall winch and deck crane as standard.

Its shallow draught of just 3m makes the 2711 well suited for both offshore and shallow water towing and support operations.

The MultiCat is also part of the builder’s workboat range and built with a ‘pontoon’-type hull shape, with an offset wheelhouse and accommodation providing an un-cluttered working deck for buoy and anchor handling over both bow and stern.

The 3313 SD variant is described as “unbeatable” for shallow water operations with a draught of just 2.2m. It has a deck space of 200m² for anchor and hose handling, along with room for equipment and containers.

There are 11 MultiCats in this class of vessel, ranging from 10m to 37m, including an electric version of the 1908 model so the MultiCat 2712 element of this trio of vessels can again be considered as mid-range.

A three engine/propeller arrangement with 1.6m diameter propellers turning in Optima nozzles is a consideration with the shallow draught feature of the 3313 SD, while the 2712 model adopts a twin engine/propeller set-up with 1.9m propellers, also with Optima nozzles.

Caterpillar main and auxiliary machinery is listed as standard in all three vessels, the MultiCat 2712 featuring five engines, two main and three auxiliary, with one extra (propulsion) engine in the 3313 SD. The Shoalbuster 2711 features five Caterpillar engines, two providing propulsion, and three gensets.

Standard accommodation provision is for seven persons in the Shoalbuster and MultiCat 2712 with a larger complement of nine persons for the MultiCat 3313 SD.