The “Sunrise”
All good things come in threes as Damen delivers the third vessel of the year, from the Damen Fast Ferry (DFFe) series to South Korean operators. Having already delivered the SeaStar 5 to existing customer Seaspovill earlier this year, two additional DFFe deliveries to new customers highlight the success of the series as well as Damen’s broad portfolio directly available from stock.
In May 2015, operator Daezer Shipping took delivery of a DFFe 4212 named ‘Sunrise’ from Damen Shipyards Singapore (DSSi). Delivered within three months of ordering, the vessel is powered by four MTU main engines (16V2000 M72) reaching a speed of over 40 knots. The Sunrise is currently operating a route of very popular tourist destinations on Koreas East-coast from the island of Ulleung to Dokdo. As a relatively new ferry operator and new customer to Damen, this recent acquisition has seen Daezer increase their service offering in the region.
The third delivery of the year took place in late August to Seaworld Express Ferry Co. Ltd. the Queen Star 2 was delivered to the established operator and will be sailing a three-hour route commencing from Usuyoung Port to the popular tourist destination of Jeju Island via Chujado Island. This is the first delivery of the newly designed DFFe 4010 with a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP), which allows the vessel to have a higher top speed and increased fuel efficiency at different speeds and loading conditions.
Although slightly smaller than the DFFe 4212, the DFFe 4010 can accommodate to the same amount of 450 maximum passengers and with two engines instead of four; the vessel can still reach a top speed of 35 knots. “This is a unique delivery with the first DFFe 4010 going into operation which is expected to be a successful model for the future, ” according to Damen sales manager Michiel Hendrikx
The popularity of the DFFe series is due to the vessels low fuel consumption and excellent sailing performance on the occasionally rough Korean East Sea. An additional contributing factor and clear advantage is Damen’s stock profile, which allowed for the vessels to be delivered quickly with slight modifications to the passenger areas. According to Damen, both vessels were built with the highest applicable standards for this type of vessel. They were delivered within three months of contract signing. With a global spread of strategic stock available, Damen can consistently ensure short delivery times of these popular stock vessels.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9, 000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5, 000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.
Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.
For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 15 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1, 500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.
