VESSELS

Expansion continues at Fairplay Towage

3 years ago

Fairplay Towage Group is continuing its recent growth strategy with the delivery of two newbuild tugs for operation in Germany and Poland and the placing of an order for three further vessels, all from Damen Shipyards.

Fairplay Towage Group takes delivery of two Damen tugs and places order for three more (Damen)

The German towing contractor is continuing its investment in new vessels for the shiphandling sector with seven Damen-built vessels joining its fleet in the last eighteen months, commencing with Fairplay-37 in 2022. Growth is particularly evident in Rotterdam, where Fairplay recently welcomed the innovative Damen ASD 2312 tug Fairplay-93, which can tow over both bow and stern from one centrally-mounted winch.

Fairplay’s German and Polish operations are now preparing for entry into service of the Damen RSD Tugs 2513 Fairplay-90 and Fairplay-91, which arrived as deck cargo in Rotterdam from Vietnam recently. The pair include a number of options to suit the client’s requirements including ice reinforcement enabling operation in light ice conditions.

Further contract

In the same week it was announced that Fairplay had signed a further contract for three additional Damen tugs comprising two more Reversed Stern Drive designs similar to Fairplay-90 and 91 above, along with a larger Damen ASD Tug 2813. Damen’s practice of building for stock will allow delivery of all three before the end of 2023. Both designs are capable vessels, the builder’s documentation quoting a standard bollard pull figure of 80t, the RSD 2513 designed for harbour operations, the ASD 2813 suitable for terminal operations and coastal towing.

The contract includes a comprehensive portfolio of services spanning the entire lifecycle of the vessels, starting with arranging transport from Damen’s Vietnam facility involving contact with the carrier, export documentation, drawings and calculations, transfer to loading location and lashings.

Fairplay’s fleet received a boost in 2017, when it merged with another well-known German tug owner with a long history, Bugsier Reederei und Bergungsgesellschaft mbH & Co KG, more than 90 vessels now listed under its ownership.

Fairplay Towage managing director Philip-Alexander Harmstorf said: “We are very happy to place another order with Damen. These tugs will help to increase the commonality of our fleet, increasing the efficiency of our operations. Throughout our previous orders with Damen, the communication and response has been excellent; they have always done what they have said they will do. Furthermore, we really value the local presence they have established in Hamburg for both sales and service.”