Damen Shipyards has launched the first of its newly designed Stan Pontoon (SPo), known as ‘SPo 12032’. The ‘SPo 12032’ is the longest pontoon ever built by Damen and is part of a series of 34 pontoons currently being built.

The ‘SPo 12032’ is 120 metres in length with 32.2 metres across her beam. The pontoon was launched at Jiangsu Ganghua Shipyard, one of Damen’s Chinese partner yards. With deck strength of 20 t/m², its heavy-duty deck is suitable for heavy roll-on/roll-off operations. The pontoon’s ballast system includes Econosto valves and Azcue pumps. Furthermore, the ‘SPo 12032’ is equipped with two DMT-winches, a Van der Leun electrical system (incl. a Caterpillar generating set), an International Paint system and is classified under Lloyd’s Register.

Together with 16 smaller pontoons (varying between 41 – 91 metres in length), the new pontoon will arrive in the Netherlands in September 2012 on a semi-submersible vessel.