Salvage and Towage specialist Svitzer is all set to take delivery of two new Damen ASD tugs.
Svitzer will operate the tugs, an ASD 2310 named 'Svitzer Yuma' and an ASD 2411 named 'Svitzer Freeport' in and around the port area of Freeport on the Bahamian island of Grand Bahama.
Though Svitzer has ordered vessels from Damen previously, these are the first orders from Svitzer USA in Miami. The tugs are being built at Damen Shipyards Changde. The Chinese yard, specialising in the delivery of tugs and workboats, features a production hall for vessels up to 26 metres.
Both 'Svitzer Yuma' and 'Svitzer Freeport' have already been launched and are currently undergoing final outfitting. They will undergo trials in May, after which they will be delivered to the client in Shanghai. From Shanghai the vessels will be transported as heavy-lift cargo to Freeport.
Freeport is the industrial centre of the Bahamas. The port area, which is managed by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, sees a lot of maritime activity from both tourist and industrial sectors.
The two-vessel order comes following Damen's recent delivery of three ATD 2412 tugs and an ASD 3212 to Svitzer.