Australia’s Bhagwan Marine recently took delivery of a new Damen ASD 2310 just two months after contract signing. The tug, named Bhagwan Pride, will kick off her duties by performing operations at an LNG development off the coast of Western Australia.
The Damen ASD 2310 is a mainstay of coastal and harbour towing and push-pull operations. The Bhagwan Pride has an ahead bollard pull of 48.7 ton and 46.5 ton astern – the total output of 3,000bkW provided by two Caterpillar 3512C TA engines. She will be mobilised for towing barges loaded with equipment for a coastal LNG development that is situated near the Barrow Island Marine Park.
Due to the LNG development’s close proximity to Barrow Island, Damen was also involved in compliance with strict environmental regulations. This environmentally vulnerable area is home to a diverse range of marine flora and fauna unique to Australian waters. “Before we delivered the tug, we had to get the hull checked to ensure we weren’t inadvertently importing in any alien species to this delicate marine environment,” explains Damen Area Director Asia-Pacific Roland Briene .
The Bhagwan Pride was constructed in China at Damen Shipyards Changde with only minor modifications. “To set the vessel up for Australian waters we had to make a few changes,” says Briene. “These involved local standards of safety and electrical systems.”
The delivery of the Bhagwan Pride follows the Bhagwan Power, a Damen ASD 2810 delivered last year from Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. “These two Damen tugs will now be working side by side on the same project,” continues Briene.
Based in Western Australia, Bhagwan Marine provides services to the oil & gas and renewables industries with a fleet of more than 100 vessels. “Damen has a good relationship with Bhagwan Marine. With the Bhagwan Pride, their fleet now has almost ten Damen vessels. It is the ongoing trust between us that has lead to this current delivery.”
Damen’s Australian Service Hub has been up and running for almost a year now: “These on-the-ground operations really help the continuing support and service we offer our customers after delivery,” concludes Briene.
Press Release, August 12, 2014; Image: Damen