The Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with the Dutch and Swedish Ministries of Defence for a seven-year, in-service maintenance contract covering a total of five vessels. All of these are tugs purchased from Damen.
The agreement covers all maintenance, both scheduled and non-scheduled, with the exception of the routine operational activities, which fall within the remit of the crew. The scheduled maintenance will take place according to a pre-determined plan that has been agreed between all parties concerned. Both ministries will also have full access to a 24/7 service desk in the event of additional works being required.
Simulator Training
The crews may receive training from Damen for their routine maintenance tasks, and training in vessel handling and manoeuvring at the simulator training centre operated by 360-Control in IJmuiden.
Noordzee, Waddenzee and Zuiderzee
The agreement with the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) covers three Damen ASD 2810 Hybrid tugs. Two of these, the Noordzee and Waddenzee, were delivered in February and April respectively. The third, named the Zuiderzee, is due for delivery in June. Their maintenance will be provided by the nearby Damen Shipyards Den Helder.
HMS Hector and Hercules
For the Swedish Royal Navy, Damen Shiprepair Oskarshamnsvarvet on Sweden's Baltic coast will be performing the maintenance on their two Damen ASD 3010 tugs (ICE class), named HMS Hector and HMS Hercules.
Remote Monitoring
MX-suite software will be used to remotely monitor the operations of all five tugs, with real-time information on data such as engine hours being used to ensure that servicing takes place exactly when it is due.
The procurement of the tugs is a joint venture between the Defence Material Organisation of the Netherlands and the Swedish Forsvarets Materielverk (FMV).
Picture: ASD Tug 2810 Hybrid Waddenzee.
