Damen wins order form EMS Offshore Service

Photo: Damen

The company will supply the client with its Shoalbuster 2711 vessel, the latest addition to the long-standing Shoalbuster range, which became available in June 2019. It will be delivered in January 2020.

The new design builds on 25 years of development of the Shoalbuster series. Width of the vessel has been increased by two metres, which allows for expanding the onboard personnel from six to seven. This in turn enables compliance with MLC regulations stipulating additional accommodation capacity.

Added benefits of the longer beam include an increase in the area of the aft deck, making it possible to fit two 20ft containers, while enhanced stability rises the lifting ability of the deck crane to 5.5 t at 18.5 m.

Additional buoyancy allows the Shoalbuster 2711 to carry more and heavier equipment and the and the bollard pull at 45 t is greater than it would otherwise be as the extra beam means it can be fitted with larger and more powerful nozzles. Finally, it also achieves anchor handling notation, with the extra stability allowing it to handle bigger and heavier anchors.

The additional adaptations required by EMS Offshore will take place at the build yard Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld. The German shipowner will use the vessel primarily for transport and installation and maintenance works in shallow waters such as the Baltic and North Seas.

Remko Bouma, Sales Manager, Damen, offered the following comment, "Our ability to deliver such a versatile vessel at such short notice was a significant factor in [EMS Offshore's] decision and we are confident that its characteristics make it ideal for operations in the North and Baltic Seas."

Michaela Buscher, Managing Director, EMS Offshore, added, "[…] Damen’s Shoalbuster 2711 turned out to be just the right choice for our purposes. With its 18 tonnes crane, the two 45 tonnes towing winches and space for two TEU on deck, it is able to transport and handle the respective cargoes. It will also enable us to offer a number of anchor handling and salvage operations to further customers, too. We look forward to the latest addition to our fleet."