Damen's ice-classed newbuilding destined for the Caspian

Caspian Offshore Construction has expanded its fleet with a new ice-class tug in Kazakhstan. It has taken delivery of a stan tug from Damen Shipyards after securing a new support contract in the northern sector of the Caspian Sea.

This multipurpose tug was built to a Stan 1606 ICE design at Damen Shipyards Changde in China and mobilised to Kazakhstan for final fitout and commissioning.

Because Damen builds tugs for its own stock it can supply finished tugs rapidly to meet clients’ requirements. Caspian Flora entered service just six weeks after Damen received the contract from Caspian Offshore Construction.

The company required fast delivery of a small ice-class vessel after securing a contract to transport marine-related project equipment.

Caspian Flora’s other duties will include transporting personnel, deploying and retrieving navigational aids, performing channel inspections and removing obstacles.

This 16-m vessel was customised for Caspian Offshore Construction’s work in Kazakhstan. This included adding extra air-conditioning, a crane and capstan. It was also outfitted with radio for the Global Maritime Distress Satellite System area A2 and other radio communications equipment.

Because of the short delivery time required in this contract, Damen installed some of these options in Kazakhstan.

Caspian Offshore Construction operates other Damen-built vessels in its fleet. This includes a Multi Cat 1908SD, two FCS 3307 and one FCS 1605 fast personnel transportation vessels.

The vessel owner provides construction support services in northern Caspian, which is covered in ice during northern hemisphere winter months.

Caspian Offshore Construction expanded the fleet it operates in a consortium with Blue Water Shipping, adding six tugs in 2018 from Shipyard De Hoop.

• De Hoop completes six-tug newbuilding campaign
• Tug newbuilding orders to double
• Module carriers designed for the Caspian’s shallow waters

Smart tug operations and propulsion technologies will be discussed at Riviera Maritime Media’s Smart Tug Operations Conference on 16 September 2019, in Singapore.