Fratelli Neri S.p.A. Bolsters Its Armada with the Addition of Three New Damen Craft
Fratelli Neri S.p.A., a family-run towing company based in Livorno, has placed an order on July 21 for three new Damen vessels: an ASD Tug 2913, a Stan Tug 1606, and a Stan Launch 1305. The latter is intended for its subsidiary Labromare, which is partially owned by Tripmare S.p.A. All three vessels will operate around the Livorno port, one of the busiest in the Mediterranean. Delivery is expected in November of this year.
This order brings the total number of Damen vessels acquired by Fratelli Neri over the past year to six. In January 2016, the company took delivery of its first ASD Tug 3212 equipped with a render recovery winch, establishing itself as a trailblazer in the Mediterranean market. Prior to this, two second-hand Stan Tugs 2608 were bought via Damen Trading.
The latest three vessels are sourced from existing inventory. The positive experience with the current Damen fleet and the promise of swift delivery were crucial factors in Damen securing this order. The ASD 2913 is currently being constructed at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania and will undergo modifications to comply with Italian flag regulations, including FiFi1 and oil recovery features, along with an aft bridge. Fratelli Neri opted for the ASD 2913 due to its robust yet compact design, boasting an impressive 80 tonnes of bollard pull, offering substantial strength for operations in the vibrant Livorno port and enhancing maneuverability.
The Stan Tug 1606 has been purchased for operations in the coastal and inland waters of Livorno. This well-established design is recognized globally for its durability and compact dimensions, making it ideal for narrow channels. Currently stationed at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem in the Netherlands, the vessel will be enhanced to meet Italian flag criteria, which includes fire-fighting systems and an aft towing winch.
The last vessel, a Stan Launch 1305, is also available in Gorinchem. It will serve Labromare S.r.l. in Livorno to provide various environmental services in Italy and will be fitted with a bow thruster and an aft towing hook.
Andrea Trevisan, Damen Sales Manager for Northern, Western, and Southern Europe, noted: “We are honored to once again support Fratelli Neri on such short notice. It is consistently rewarding to partner with another distinguished Italian family business that shares values closely resembling ours. Damen’s strategy of building stock has enabled a vessel operator to acquire customized, high-quality vessels in significantly shorter time frames than conventional build-to-order schedules. These three vessels also showcase a wide range of capabilities that we can deliver to clients, and we are confident that each will provide many years of dependable service.”
Piero NERI, the owner of Fratelli Neri, stated: “We are delighted to have chosen Damen once again for their responsiveness and ability to meet our requirements for tugs suited for diverse operations. Our collaboration with Damen has been exceptional, starting from the initial discussions to the vessel deliveries, with teams from both sides cooperating seamlessly. This partnership reflects our shared values and reliability that yield sustainable technical solutions for the future.”
