US Navy signs 5-year salvage contract

Donjon Marine has clinched a major multi-year salvage contract from a global naval power covering the whole of the Atlantic Ocean.

It has secured another 5-year contract to provide salvage and emergency towage to the US Navy until Q4 2023.

This order came from the supervisor of salvage and diving at the US’ Department of Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command after a competitive tender process.

Donjon’s contract covers salvage and related services within Zone A, which is defined as the Atlantic Ocean in all latitudes from pole to pole and also covers the Gulf of Mexico, Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. In this contract, Donjon is expected to provide:

• Marine salvage.
• Wreck removal.
• Ocean towage.
• Emergency pickups.
• Inshore towage.
• Marine transportation.
• Dredging.
• Debris disposal.
• Other related salvage services.

Donjon Marine has provided salvage services to the US Navy since 1980 and won each subsequent tender for continuous service and managing subcontractors.

“Like all marine organisations, the US Navy occasionally experiences incidents that require specialist assistance,” said Donjon executive vice president, John Witte.

“During the four decades we have been working with the US Navy we have used the services of other companies to help us,” he continued. “Most of these companies are, like us, members of the International Salvage Union.” Donjon has built strong relationships with other salvage companies through this organisation, which Mr Witte chaired up until last year.

Under its previous contract with the US Navy, Donjon undertook substantial work following the devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. It was also involved in dismantling ex-USS Shadwell near Mobile, Alabama. This included disposal of hazardous and potentially polluting waste to prevent an environmental spillage.

Donjon Marine is headquartered at New Jersey, US, and was founded in 1966. It provides towage, dredging and marine salvage, recycling, marine demolition, pollution control and heavy lift transport in the region. It also operates a shipyard for shipbuilding, drydocking, ship repair, barge construction and vessel conversion.