Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has CN Bulkers’ new acquisitions ready for operations in eight weeks

Four bulk carriers brought up to standard in two locations

25 March 2016

Damen has completed maintenance and surveys on four bulk carriers recently bought at auction by CN Bulkers, a joint venture between Universal Shipping & Trading and NedNor. The work took place at its Rotterdam yards; Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (Schiedam) and Damen Shiprepair Van Brink Rotterdam (Pernis). The four vessels, all between 16,000 and 17,000 DWT, had been inactive for a time following the insolvency of their previous owners and had not been dry-docked since 2012.

The vessels came up to the North Sea from the Mediterranean either under tow or using their own power and arrived in Rotterdam at the end of December/beginning of January, with two going to each yard. The scope of works included 5-year special surveys for three of the ships and a 15-year special survey for the fourth. Each underwent a thorough cleaning and repainting below the waterline, and some assorted blasting and painting on the topsides.


'Sanna'at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam.   Image by Damen Shipyards Group.


Maintenance and surveys at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam.   Image by Damen Shipyards Group.


Drydock services for 'Sanna'.   Image by Damen Shipyards Group.

Once the works below the waterline were completed one of the vessels was moved to a smaller dock for the interior work. Once there, activities included inspection and maintenance of the valves and gearboxes, load testing of the cranes where applicable, and laying out of the anchors and chains. One of the carriers also needed an engine overhaul and straightening of the crankshaft. This was carried out in-situ in the engine room.

Two of the vessels were ready for sea by mid-February, the second by the 24th of the same month and the last left the dock on the 8th of March. With at least one of the vessels already booked for a charter, being ready on schedule was an important consideration.

Part of the works also involved painting on the new name for each vessel, and they are now called the Sotra, Sanna, Senja and Silda respectively. Universal Marine is providing management services.

“It’s been 10 years since we last had vessels from Universal Marine at Damen, so it’s a pleasure to welcome them back,” said Boudewijn Baan, sales manager at Damen Shiprepair & Conversion. “Our extensive network of repair yards allowed us to complete this multi-vessel project within just two months and have them ready for charter once again.”

“We decided to drydock the vessels at Damen Shiprepair & Conversion because of the good experiences we have had with them,” said Bert Pleysier, Technical Director of Universal Marine. “They are flexible, practical and fast. They also have ready access to a large variety of well-equipped sub-contractors close by in the neighbourhoods of their shipyards.”

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 steel works.

In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 15 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.

Damen Shipyards Group press release