In December 2011, Damen Pontoons & Barges signed three contracts for a total of five purpose-built Damen Stan Pontoons (SPo): two Damen Stan Pontoons 6511 for Mammoet Maritime (The Netherlands), two Stan Pontoons 8916 ICE for Silverburn Shipping (I.O.M.) Ltd (UK) and one SPo 4113 for Rhumb Maritime (Australia). Delivery of the pontoons will take place between March and September 2012.
Rhumb Maritime
Melbourne-based chartering company Rhumb Maritme ordered a Damen Stan Pontoon 4113 (41 x 13 m) with an outfitting best suited to the company’s current needs in the Asia-Pacific region. These include the preparation of the pontoon for spud poles and winches and the application of an International Paint anti-fouling system. Short delivery times, proven design and reliable performance are all reasons to choose for Damen, according to Rhumb, who will also take delivery of the Rhumb Matilda (a Damen Stan Tug 1606) in February. What tipped the balance was the fact that the vessel could be adapted in detail to the company’s wishes. The pontoon will be available for chartering via Rhumb Maritime at the end of March 2012.
Silverburn Shipping
London-based Silverburn Shipping, known for their ultra-shallow draught transport operations, ordered two pontoons under Ice Class: the Damen SPo 8916 ICE, a thoroughly researched concept. The vessel will be delivered before September 2012. Damen Customer Finance arranged a tailor-made financing agreement for this contract.
The ‘8916 ICE’ is a state-of-the-art pontoon for usage in international waters and is especially suitable for the Russian inland waterways. It comes with an anti-fouling system, a complete ballast system (including two 400 mᶟ Azcue ballast pumps) and three DMT removable deck winches with anchors and wires. In addition a full electrical installation will be supplied by Damen’s trusted subcontractor Van der Leun. Valves will be supplied by Econosto and the de-aerators are from Winel.
Mammoet Maritime
Long-time Damen customer Mammoet Maritime (Schiedam) ordered a couple of Damen Stan Pontoons 6511 to strengthen the Dutch fleet of the Heavy Lift & Transport Company. Earlier, in 2010, Damen delivered a submersible SPo 8522, which Mammoet currently uses for worldwide transport, salvage operations and load-outs. Much of the equipment and details of the new 6511´s will be identical to the 8522 to support exchangeability of additional equipment like winches, spud-poles etc.
Under construction
Currently, the Damen Shipyards Group has no less than 30 pontoons under construction, all built under Lloyd’s Register classification. Furthermore, two transshipment barges, outfitted with a 45 t Liebherr CBG 350 crane as well as day and night accommodation, will be available as of autumn 2012. Product Director Frank Koppelaar says: “These 30 ‘heavy duty deck’-types vary from the Damen Stan Pontoon 3211 (32 x 11 m) up to the Stan Pontoon 12032 (120 x 32 m) and are under construction at Damen yards worldwide. All pontoons are fully ballastable and the majority is already fitted with a ballast system. The vessels are prepared for the installation of pumps and generator sets and can be commissioned within a very short time.” Most of the Stan Pontoons will be built at Damen´s Chinese partner yard Jiangsu Ganghua Shipyards. In order to facilitate clients with fast delivery times, a number of the SPo’s will be built for Damen’s stock.