Damen lays keel of new crane barge for Panama owner

Damen Shipyards Group has concluded laying the keel of a new crane barge ordered by a Panama-based owner.

The 75- by 32-metre vessel, which will be fitted with a 625-tonne capacity crane, will replace a 77-year-old crane barge that is still in operation with the same owner.

Construction of the vessel is ongoing at Damen Yichang Shipyard in Hubei province, China. After the crane installation, the barge will cross the Pacific on a heavy lift vessel and arrive at the anchorage area of Balboa in Panama where final tests will be conducted before it enters service.