Damen has recently signed a contract with AstillerosNavalesEcuatorianos
(Astinave) to construct two Damen SPa’s 5009 for the Ecuadorian
Coastguard. The Ecuadorian shipyard will build both vessels locally
with Damen Technical Cooperation, which is Damen’s method of ‘building
on site’.
Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) will supply Astinave with prefabricated
kits to build both vessels. As well as the numerous advantages that
local construction brings to the contract-signing table, DTC uses proven
Damen designs that guarantee technical and operational performance.
Due to the sheer complexity of building the Stan Patrol 5009, Damen’s
agreement with Astinave includes on-site technical assistance during
the construction and commissioning periods. |
Strategic
alliance
Although this latest contract represents the first Damen Stan Patrol
5009 for Astinave, the yard has built up considerable experience with
Damen designs over the years. “We see Astinave not only as a client
but also as a partner,” says Ezequiel Najmias, Damen Sales Manager
Americas. “Our relationship with them started more than a decade
ago when both parties signed a Strategic Alliance Framework Agreement.”
Following the first building contract in 2007, “Astinave has built
a great number of vessels in cooperation with Damen, including tugs,
cutter suction dredgers, fast crew suppliers and patrol vessels.”
Customer specifications
The Ecuadorian Coastguard will mobilise the two new Damen SPa’s
5009 for general patrol duties – benefitting from a top speed
of 23 knots provided by four fixed-pitch propellers. They specified
that both vessels had the capacity to accommodate 32 people operating
for up to 30 days without external support – something that required
a number of design adaptations. “Our most challenging modification
was to change the standard accommodation layout to fit one extra bed
in each room without losing comfort,” explains Mr Najmias. “By
increasing the fuel capacity to 90m3, enlarging the storage and freezer
rooms and installing a powerful water-maker, both vessels will be able
to operate autonomously for 30 days.” Ecuador’s Coastguard
already operates three Damen SPa’s 2606, with a fourth currently
under construction at Astinave’s facilities on the banks of the
Guayas River. After delivery of the two patrol vessels, the fleet will
total six Damen builds.
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