Ecuador-Based ASTINAVE Shipyard to Build Damen’s Fast Crew Supplier 1605

For the first time, a Damen Fast Crew Supplier 1605 will be built in Ecuador by Astilleros Navales Ecuatorianos (ASTINAVE) Shipyard. Damen is supplying the complete, prefabricated Shipbuilding Material Package Kit to ASTINAVE. The yard’s technical staff are responsible for the construction, together with Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC).

The DTC concept enables customers to build Damen vessels of their choice locally, according to specific requirements.

The Fast Crew Supplier will be delivered to PetroEcuador in September this year. “Damen will do everything in its power to ensure that ASTINAVE can accomplish this tight deadline,” says Ezequiel Najmias, Damen Sales Manager Americas.

Negotiations with ASTINAVE are already going on for the possibility of more Fast Crew Suppliers and other vessels. State-owned oil company PetroEcuador is the end user of the new Fast Crew Supplier, which will be deployed to transport executives to oilfields.

Passenger comfort

Damen engineers have been heavily involved in the design process because the vessel will not be a standard vessel. Usually, the Damen Fast Crew Supplier 1605 transports 29 passengers, but this vessel is being designed for only 19. As well as being more luxurious and spacious for high levels of passenger comfort, the vessel is also being adapted for a 3 m access system to transfer passengers to the rigs.

Partner yards

ASTINAVE and Damen have a long-established relationship, with the Ecuadorian yard having built several Cutter Suction Dredgers and Stan Patrols over the years. This latest order followed one in September 2011 for a Stan Patrol 2606. ASTINAVE employees also attend training courses at Damen Shipyards’ headquarters in the Netherlands.

DTC supplies the complete prefabricated shipbuilding kit, including the steel or aluminium. This cost-efficient concept enables customers to build the Damen vessel of their choice locally, according to their personal requirements.

Advantages are clear:

local economy profits and costs of transportation are cut down, which substantially reduces the environmental impact. Damen also supervises the build if required.

Damen Shipyards Group (est. 1927) is a globally operating company with more than 35 owned shipyards and numerous partner yards. Damen employs over 6,000 people, has built over 5,000 vessels worldwide and delivers up to 150 vessels annually. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept and short delivery times, Damen is able to guarantee constant quality.

Damen’s focus on standardization and a modular construction approach lead toshort delivery times (Damen keeps vessels in stock), low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale value, proven technologyand reliable performance. Damen offers a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, patrol vessels, high-speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, offshore support vessels, oil-spill response vessels and even frigates and mega yachts. In addition to shipbuilding, Damen offers efficient customer support, customer financing and complete lifecycle service.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, March 14, 2012; Image: Damen