Four more vessels under construction.
Damen Shipyards is further strengthening its involvement in the Brazilian offshore market with six Platform Supply Vessels, type PSV 4500, built under license by Wilson, Sons (Santos, Brazil) for Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore (WSUT). Two vessels have been recently delivered; the other four will be delivered throughout 2013.
Damen and Wilson have enjoyed a business relationship for 20 years and the new vessels will be supplied to WSUT, a joint venture between Brazilian operator Wilson, Sons and the Chilean Ultratug group for long term charter to Petrobras. To date Wilson, Sons has built 16 Damen PSVs, all for their own fleet.
Building locally
As one of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries, Brazil is very much an expanding market and particularly the offshore sector is demonstrating exceptionally strong growth. Local manufacturing is a key factor and the service through Damen Technical Cooperation (offering ships in kit form for completion locally) ensures the shipbuilder complies with the 60% local content threshold imposed by the government.
Wilson, Sons is the largest operator of harbour tugs in Brazil and already has a large fleet of Damen vessels comprising Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugs and Platform Supply Vessels (PSV).
Main characteristics
The 4500 DWT vessel has a LOA of 87 m, 16 m beam and maximum draught of 6.19 m, providing a large deck area amounting to 840 m². A diesel electric propulsion system comprising four Caterpillar 3512C generator sets, each of 1,570 ekW at 1,800 rpm, power two Rolls-Royce azimuth thrusters of 2,500 kW. Fixed pitch propellers of 2,800 mm diameter, with nozzle, deliver a speed of 13 knots (at 5 m draught). A Caterpillar C9 genset of 238 ekW at 1,800 rpm is for emergency use. Twin bow thrusters ensure good manoeuvrability and the vessel has a dynamic positioning DP2 classification. There is accommodation for 14 crew and up to six passengers.
New range
Currently Damen is engaged in the design of a new range of PSVs. Based on operational studies, feedback and questionnaires from crew and operators of the Damen PSV 3000, 4500 and other non-Damen PSVs operating in the area, analyses are made to refine the specifications of the new design.
The new Damen PSV range will soon cover five models, the 3300 (the number relates to the vessels’ deadweight), the smaller 1600 and 2500 and the larger 4000 and 5000, which are currently being designed. Together with Wilson, Sons Damen is developing several other vessel types for the Brazilian offshore market, such as Anchor Handlers, ROV Support Vessels and Well-stimulation Vessels.