l to r: Jan van der Vorm (sales manager Africa Damen Shipyards Gorinchem) and David Fofana, (Directeur adjoint Societe de Transport Lagunaire)
Turnkey delivery of ferry stations will improve transport infrastructure
Following the contract signing between Damen Shipyards Group and Société de Transport Lagunaire (STL) for 16 shallow-draught ferries for the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan, the two companies have announced a supplementary contract for eight Damen Pontoons 2404. STL will use the pontoons for vessel mooring and passenger transfer purposes.
The eight 24-metre pontoons will be used to construct four separate ‘hop-on, hop-off’ ferry stations that will be capable of mooring a ferry as well as providing a stable structure fit for safe embarkation of passengers. A number of onshore ticket offices will complete the ferry station set up: these will be supplied by STL.
Eight pontoons ready for delivery as part of turnkey client order
Focusing on the ferry mooring parameters of the design, the pontoons will be installed with proven fender systems to ensure the optimal landing of an approaching ferry. The pontoons will be anchored securely by blocks.
To guarantee safe transfer of passengers, the pontoons will be equipped with anti-slip ramps as well as handrails. “These ferry stations will support Abidjan’s busy water-based urban transport network,” explains Damen Product Director Pontoons and Barges Frank Koppelaar. “With journey times averaging about 10 minutes, it is important to have efficient and stable passenger embarkation. These Pontoons will help STL achieve that.”
Mooring Pontoons with ramps delivered at location
Next to delivering the client a turnkey solution with pontoons, ramps and ferries, Damen arranged the transport from the shipyard to Ivory Coast. All eight of the Pontoons 2404 were built in just 10 weeks and delivered to the client.
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 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Ramps with anti-slip and lifebouys
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 16 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.
