Damen signs with Oz mining company for new tug

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Australia-based South32 GEMCO to supply an ASD Tug 2312 – the first vessel of its kind to operate in this country.

Due to Damen’s series production of vessels for stock, the tug had already been built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. Damen will deliver the vessel to the Port of Darwin, Australia by this October.

South32 GEMCO will operate the new vessel as an escort tug in support of its manganese mining operation on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, approximately 650km south-east of Darwin.

Though a standard Damen design, the ASD Tug 2312 is being fitted out with a number of options to meet South32 GEMCO’s specifications. This includes installation of a push bow, CCTV, a crane, and a second towing line and anchor.