Page 58: of Marine News Magazine (November 2016)

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BOATBUILDING & DESIGN “Damen is providing us with what we call a U.S. vari- ant of their European design. It’s the same exact hull form, just modi? ed by them to meet U.S. rules and regulations with regard to tonnage and stability and any other U.S. Flag requirements necessary for our harbor towing application.” – Joe Starck, President of The Great Lakes Towing Company be introduced for the next ? ve years. Damen is providing to the table,” explains René J. Leonard, VP Business Develop- full design and engineering support. “We operate our tugs ment and Engineering for Conrad Shipyard. “The number in multiples, as opposed to using a single high horsepower of vessels that they produce worldwide provides the company tug,” Starck says. As far as the newbuilds, he adds, “They with excellent leverage in economies of scale, resulting in low- will help us to not only improve the reliability of our ? eet er cost to the customer. Their process of shipping materials to for our customers, but also allow us to expand to other us on an as-needed basis allows us to streamline manufactur- ports where we currently don’t have tugs stationed.” ing schedules and is extremely cost-effective,” he added.

Starck says going with Damen was an easy choice since Leonard says having Damen as a strategic partner is ben- the two companies entered into a licensing agreement two e? cial not only in design and construction, but also with years ago where Great Lakes Shipyard offered its customers worldwide coverage for warranty and aftermarket support readily available engineering packages previously produced for spare parts and repairs. “In this instance, with the ves- by Damen. “Damen is providing us with what we call a sel operator located in Hawaii where access to vendors and

U.S. variant of their European design. It’s the same exact suppliers is not easy as elsewhere, Damen’s global footprint hull form, just modi? ed by them to meet U.S. rules and and rich history of providing these resources is a signi? cant regulations with regard to tonnage and stability and any bene? t to our customer.” other U.S. Flag requirements necessary for our harbor tow- ing application.” In other words: hands across the water.

Market Differentiators

Separately, four new Damen Stan 3711 tugs are being

Damen’s van Hogerwou points out that most shipyards built for Young Brothers, Limited of Honolulu, Hawaii don’t have their own service and support and maintenance by Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana. The con- team in place. He explains, “We have a whole team avail- struction is being undertaken under a ‘license and ma- able 24/7 that will respond to technical issues, and with terials’ agreement with Damen Shipyards Group. Young our buying power and leverage, we can ensure the quickest

Brothers, a Saltchuck company operated by Foss Mari- turnaround possible.” Backing up that promise, the fam- time, is Hawaii’s largest inter-island cargo service provider. ily-owned global shipbuilder operates 30+ yards world-

The ? rst vessel will be delivered in the ? rst quarter of 2018 wide, and more than 200 vessels have already been built or and the last, twelve months later. are being built to Damen designs at U.S.-based shipyards, “We are investing to serve the Hawaiian Islands for de- including over 100 for the U.S. Coast Guard.

cades into the future. These new tugs are a perfect match

The Coast Guard piece of the puzzle is important. That’s for our higher capacity barges and will improve reliability, because more than ten years ago when the Coast Guard’s ef? ciency and on-time service,” said Young Brothers Presi- ambitious multi-million dollar conversion plan to rebuild dent and COO Glenn Hong in a recent statement.

and modernize a ? eet of 20-year-old 110-foot patrol craft

The four new twin-screw tugs are 123-feet in length ran aground as the rebuilt hulls began to crack – one after with a 36.5-feet beam and powered by G.E. 8L250MDC the other – the next newbuild plan speci? ed just one key engines rated at 6,000 horsepower. Designed for high sta- ingredient: the hull design had to be a proven one. The bility and maneuverability, the tug has a maximum bollard Coast Guard turned to Damen.

pull of 80-metric tons and a top speed of 12.5 knots.

Damen has grown from a staff of just six in 1969 to over “Damen’s approach to standardizing their design and ma- 10,000 employees. To date, Damen has delivered nearly terials is impressive and it’s a major advantage that they bring 6,000 vessels; approximately 4,200 of those are tugs – the

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