Alewijnse Success at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque

Electrical system integrator Alewijnse Marine Systems is celebrating the first anniversary of delivering electrical services and maintenance to vessels at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque. Twelve months after it began work there, the results are well above expectations with 19 contracts fulfilled for 10 vessels, representing a strong start, the company reports.

The delivery of electrical services and maintenance to vessels at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque started in April 2014 with the MPI Resolution maintenance project, a turbine installation vessel. This was originally scheduled to take place at sister yard Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, but was subsequently changed to Dunkerque. As a result, Damen asked Alewijnse to undertake the servicing at the Dunkerque yard instead. Alewijnse played a significant role in the mandatory maintenance of MPI Resolution’s electrical systems, which included overhauling the alternators and electric motors.
 
After the delivery of the MPI Resolution, Alewijnse undertook a series of large electrical servicing and maintenance projects for various sophisticated vessels at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque, such as cable layer Cable Innovator, ferry Dieppe Seaways and offshore supply ship Topaz Commander.

One highlight of the past year was the cross-channel ferry Pride of Canterbury, for which Alewijnse reconditioned the electrical systems in part of the engine room following fire damage. More recently a research vessel and the two ferries Malo Seaways and Côte d'Albâtre were added to the list of joint projects.
 
With the electrical maintenance projects at the yard in Dunkerque, Alewijnse is serving various end clients in the shipping and offshore market, such as Vroon Group’s MPI Offshore, DFDS Seaways, Global Marine Systems, Topaz Energy and Marine and others.
 
Alewijnse’s electrical work for Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque is similar to that which Alewijnse is undertaking at sister company Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, where Alewijnse has had a permanent service and maintenance facility for some years. However, in contrast to Vlissingen, the full range of cross-channel ferries are serviced at Dunkerque as the yard is well-positioned for passenger and freight ferries operating between France and the United Kingdom.
 
Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque is very positive about Alewijnse’s performance at the yard. Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque Assistant Project Manager Sebastien Gosselin stated, “Alewijnse works well and fast. We always compare them with two other companies when soliciting bids and we always provide the best price / quality ratio and company performance and reliability. The highly professional Alewijnse employees do an excellent job on board. I could not wish for better.”
 
“The cooperation between Damen and Alewijnse is strong because it is based on mutual confidence,” continued Nieuwenhuizen. “Alewijnse frees up the Damen team, allowing them to focus on a vessel’s entire docking program or modification projects, starting from day one. With our knowledge of electrical systems we can advise on the request for a quotation so that the yard can provide the best price/added value offer to the owner. Damen has recently complimented us with how we have taken this up so proactively.”
 
“That proactive attitude is also reflected across our organization and planning. Our ability to deploy the right numbers of dedicated staff with the right skills to wherever they are required gives clients like Damen the reassurance that their exact needs will always be met, at the agreed quality and pricing levels. So the yard can hand over control, confident that the job will be done right first time, every time.”