Electrical system integrator Alewijnse is preparing for an increasing number of tugs and workboats being built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. The on-site installation team is being significantly expanded, ready for additional projects. The shipyard plans to expand production to up to eighty fully equipped workboats per year.
Vietnam has experienced significant growth in recent years and is emerging as the new factory of the world. This trend is set to continue in the coming years, with more and more international companies establishing their production facilities in Vietnam, close to the Chinese border and maritime routes. Tax incentives, low labour costs, and a stable political situation also play a role. Additionally, Vietnam is a signatory of fifteen free trade agreements.
Damen Song Cam Shipyard and Alewijnse are seeing that the demand for small workboats continues to rise. Since the opening of the specialised shipyard in 2014, the two companies have already delivered more than 100 ships together, including tugboats, workboats, patrol vessels, and crew tenders for both the civilian and military markets. Production capacity will only continue to grow in the coming years.
Also read: TU Delft strengthens innovation at Alewijnse
World’s first fully electric tugboat
A groundbreaking innovation within this collaboration is the RSD Tug 2513 Electric, the world’s first fully electric tugboat. With a pulling power of 70 tonnes, this powerful tug can manoeuvre even the largest ships and perform two or more missions before needing to recharge. This recharging only takes two hours. The electric harbour tug marks an important transition from diesel to clean, emission-free tugboats.
‘Our customers appreciate that we deliver projects with a high level of quality, competitive prices, and within the agreed timelines,’ explains Daniel Pop, Director of Alewijnse Vietnam. ‘We have our own panel-building facility, which was recently expanded by 25 per cent to 1000 m2 to meet the growing demand for switchboard production in Southeast Asia. With this increased capacity, we can take on more orders and offer reliable, energy-efficient custom solutions to various clients.’
The competitive position is further strengthened by offering local engineering expertise for all types of projects. Pop adds: ‘Our team works on various maritime projects, both locally and internationally. We want to further expand our service offerings to support European projects remotely, fulfilling our ambition to become the leading electrical system integrator in Southeast Asia.’
Picture: Damen Song Cam Vietnam shipyard (photo: Alewijnse).
Also read: Alewijnse partners with Windcat for four new CTVs
