On 20 February 2024 Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract with BOA Group for two ASD Tugs 3010 ICE. Due to Damen’s practice of constructing vessels in series for stock, the tugs were already under construction at the time of order and will be delivered later this year.
BOA’s fleet consists of specialised offshore vessels, semi-submersible barges and harbour tugs. The order for these two Damen tugs is a part of theNorwegian company’s strategic fleet renewal and aims at modernising the fleet while lowering fuel consumption.
BOA CEO and shipowner Ole Torberg Bjørnevik explains: “There are a number of advantages to reducing the fuel consumption of our vessels. For one, it lowers costs, which helps us become more competitive. Crucially, it also allows us to pursue our goals of increased sustainability.”
In this, BOA is aligned with Damen, which has set itself the goal to become the most sustainable maritime solutions provider.
To ensure that the tugs met the requirements of BOA, Damen worked closely with its client, considering its operational profile in great detail. BOA serves multiple ports, some of which are a considerable distance from one another, requiring up to 10 hours steaming, followed by harbour assistance.
The two tugs will feature a range of options that ensure their suitability to BOA’s needs. This includes a Heila HLRM 65 – 4s crane with 3.3 ton lifting capacity at 12.65m, an aft winch, a modular oil recovery system, and a shore heating system.
The vessels will be the first Damen newbuilds in BOA’s fleet. The two family-owned companies have, however, enjoyed a close relationship for many years already. This includes BOA’s repeated utilisation of Damen Shiprepair& Conversion yards.
An example of this is the recent extension of the Boabarge 33 undertaken by Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam in preparation for BOA’s scope in a contract with TM Edison in Belgium.
