Damen Shipyards and Abu Dhabi Ports Unite for Innovative Tugboat Partnership
At an official event during the Abu Dhabi Boat Show, Damen Shipyards Group has formalized a contract with Abu Dhabi Ports and its subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Marine Services (Safeen), for the provision of two new Damen ASD Tugs 2411. This agreement was sealed by Captain Adil Ahmed Banihammad, the Acting Chief Marine Services Officer at Safeen, alongside Pascal Slingerland, the Regional Sales Director for Damen Shipyards Group. The anticipated delivery of both tugs is expected within approximately three months.
Abu Dhabi Ports plays a vital role in the Abu Dhabi economy, managing 11 ports and overseeing over 55,000 vessel calls each year. The addition of ASD Tugs 2411 will significantly enhance the vessel handling capabilities of the organization. These models are operational globally and are renowned for their outstanding traction (70 tonnes), reliability, and agility, all integrated into a compact 24-meter design.
The new tugs will expand the fleet of twelve harbor tugs currently operational with Safeen, the fleet management division of Abu Dhabi Ports, which handles pilotage, mooring, vessel management, and towage services at Abu Dhabi Ports, thus elevating operational capabilities. They will notably aid in the movement of vessels at Khalifa Port’s two container terminals managed by ADT/MSC and COSCO Shipping Port Limited (CSPL), in addition to supporting EGA’s berth designated for Bauxite shipments to its smelter in Al Taweelah.
This three-month delivery schedule has been enabled by Damen’s approach of constructing their most in-demand vessels for inventory. The ASD Tugs 2411 are currently being tailored to meet the specifications of Abu Dhabi Ports/Safeen at Albwardy Damen in the UAE before their journey to Khalifa Port.
Joining the Safeen fleet will be the ASD Tugs 2411 alongside three existing Damen vessels: a Stan Tug 1907 delivered earlier this year and the Shoalbuster 2609 Al Maqtaa, received in 2016. Additionally, the Al Shahama, a Damen Buoy Maintenance Vessel built in 1994 in Abu Dhabi under the Damen Technical Cooperation program, contributes actively to the Safeen fleet. Local warranty and post-sale support will consistently be provided by Albwardy Damen from its bases in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are delighted that Abu Dhabi Ports has selected our established ASD Tug 2411 to bolster the container terminals at Abu Dhabi Ports,” comments Damen’s Pascal Slingersland. “We are confident that they will manage port operations for vessels of all types and sizes safely and effectively, including the world’s largest 400-meter container ships capable of accommodating 20,000 TEUs.” Furthermore, our Damen Services Hub is conveniently located nearby to offer ongoing support to Abu Dhabi Ports throughout the tugs’ operational lifespan.
Captain Adil Ahmed Banihammad, Acting Chief Marine Services Officer at Abu Dhabi Marine Services – SAFEEN, remarked: “The expansion of our fleet with two high-performance tugboats at Khalifa Port marks a significant achievement for Safeen in fulfilling our clients’ needs professionally and enhances Khalifa Port’s capacity, making it the first port in the GCC equipped to accommodate the world’s largest container and shipping vessels. The increasing average size of vessels has surged by 65 percent due to economies of scale, and we recognize the necessity of equipping our ports with the appropriate tools and logistics to meet these evolving demands.”
Captain Banihammad further expressed: “Khalifa Port serves as a strategic gateway for trade and transport into Abu Dhabi and the wider region. Our ongoing efforts to develop supportive infrastructure and enhance the overall customer experience align with international standards, aiming to set a new benchmark in the maritime sector of the region.”
