Damen Newbuild for Dutch Offshore Wind Project

Dutch company Offshore Wind Services (OWS), specialists in the provision of crew transfer vessels to the offshore wind industry have ordered a Damen FCS 2008. This is the company’s second vessel ordered from Damen this year. 

Damen Shipyard Den Helder in the Netherlands will meet the specific requirements of the client. This includes outfitting the vessel with a second generator set and offshore crane. She will also be painted in the company’s colors. The vessel is to be named Offshore Waddenzee. The order is notable for the speed with which it is being handled. Jelle Meindertsma, Damen Sales Manager, explains: “The vessel has been ordered in June and will be delivered very quickly in August complete and ready to work.”

A Dutch project

Mr Meindertsma emphasizes the high level of Netherlands-based content in this project. “It’s as Dutch as clogs and cheese! A Dutch company has ordered a vessel that is being built at a Dutch yard, to work on a Dutch offshore wind farm for another Dutch company, Van Oord.” The vessel is going to be working alongside two other OWS vessels on the construction phase of the Luchterduinen Offshore Wind Farm for Van Oord.

Philip Woodcock, Operations Director at Offshore Wind Services, said, "We are looking forward to taking delivery of this new build vessel. The FCS 2008 is a very capable vessel for working on an offshore wind construction project close to shore like Luchterduinen. Damen's off-the-shelf approach ensures a rapid turnaround time, which helps us to meet our goal of providing our clients with first class service on time." 

Successful trials

The order was signed after successful sea trials that took place in the Dutch North Sea at the Princess Amalia Offshore Wind Farm. The FCS 2008 has a Sea Axe hull that reduces slamming and ensures highest possible standard of crew comfort in a wide range of sea states. This is the second vessel ordered from Damen by OWS this year. The first, an FCS 2610, is currently being built in Singapore for delivery later this year. The FCS 2008 has been launched following the success of the FCS 2610 and is designed for situations when a smaller vessel perfectly meets project requirements.