The Dutch Police has ordered six patrol vessels from Damen Shipyards for its ‘Zeehavenpolitie’ and ‘Landelijke Eenheid’ units.
Three of the new vessels are seagoing (Stan Patrol 2506), while the other three are for the inland waterways (Stan Patrol 2005). All six will be built at Damen’s headquarters in Gorinchem in the Netherlands, and are due to be delivered between 2019-2021.
Jeroen van Woerkum, Damen Shipyards Sales Manager Benelux is delighted to have won the European tender for the six patrol vessels. “We used our expertise and the knowledge that we have built up over the years and optimised it with the latest fuel saving and environmental technologies.”
Lower fuel consumption. “These patrol vessels, built from aluminium with a composite superstructure, are lightweight, have less resistance, higher performance and lower fuel consumption. Damen was able to achieve the very strict requirements for reducing noise and the environmental impact and even exceed them.” Damen’s extensive R&D efforts have led to a big reduction in noise and vibrations, improving crew comfort, he adds.
Exhaust treatment equipment. The patrol vessels already comply with the new environmental rules (Euro Stage V for inland vessels) for cleaner exhaust emissions, which are being introduced in 2020. “These vessels are actually a step ahead of the regulations. In 2020, vessels have to have after-treatment installations on board but these new patrol ships will already have this equipment.”
Slipway for RIB launch. Another important addition is the installation of a slipway on the aft of the seagoing, Damen Stan Patrol 2506 from which the RIBs can be launched. Previously, patrol vessels of this size would have to use a crane and a davit. “The slipway is operationally safer, more reliable and the launch of the RIB is much faster. RIBs can be launched in higher wind speeds for example. The slipway also makes it much easier to retrieve the vessel.”
Although details cannot be revealed at present, the layout of the wheelhouse has been fully customized and the vessels will be equipped with night vision technology. The six vessels will replace existing vessels, and will be deployed in the North Sea and on Dutch waterways, and in the ports of Vlissingen, IJmuiden and Rotterdam.
Damen Shipyards Group operates 34 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 10,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept, Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality. Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low “total cost of ownership,” high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology. Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts. For nearly all vessel types, Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of shipbuilding know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steelworks. Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of 18 repair and conversion yards of which 12 are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating and covered drydocks, the largest of which is 420 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards and ports, and during voyage.