Damen Shipyards, a reputable Dutch maritime tuner, has just handed over the keys of three ASD tugboats to Poland’s established mega-firm, WUZ Ports, and Maritime Services. The splendid inauguration of the new fleet took place in mid-October in the glorious city of Gdansk, Poland. A remarkable occasion indeed, the event brought together a wide array of professional associates from both domestic Polish circles and global seafaring fraternities.
Frequently singing praises for Damen Shipyards, WUZ Port and Maritime Services, the nation’s premier towage company, had inked a three-tug deal at the start of 2023. Following a swanky naming ritual in Rotterdam back in September, the second ASD Tug 2811 known as Pax was the last in the trio of tugboats to bid farewell to Damen’s yard.
Damen’s Two Stellar Deliveries
The first duo comprised of Ares, an ASD Tug 2813, and Mars, an ASD Tug 2811. They road the seas towards their new home at WUZ Ports and Maritime Services in July. Crafted at Vietnam’s renowned Damen Song Cam Shipyard, the pair kicked off their services in August post their ceremony at the WUZ Ports home port of Gdansk.
Pax, the third and the last in this series was a product of Albwardy Damen’s efforts in Sharjah, U.A.E. Damen touts the 28-meter long Pax as an ASD Tug 2811 designed to accommodate the rising demand for high-powered compact tugs. At a time when commercial vessels have grown in size but harbors remain confined, Pax delivers excellent maneuverability and considerable bollard pull.
Contributing to the Heart of Gdansk
With Pax’s arrival, WUZ’s fleet now boasts of seven Damen tugs and a total of 17 operational vessels. These tugs play a crucial role in sustaining the operations at the Port of Gdansk. Their duties include managing tanker traffic, container ships, and bulk carriers, along with deep-water and coastal tug assistance among other support activities.
The Long-Term Vision: Emerging Industrial Zones and Dockyards
The Port of Gdansk Authority has been charting expansion plans that include new industrial areas and extended dockyards. One such key initiative is the construction of a state-of-the-art container terminal. Plans also encompass the development of brand-new LNG import and regasification facilities at the Gulf of Gdansk. With FIFI 1 capabilities, the new Damen tug trio stands prepared to serve these forthcoming LNG terminal operations, thus asserting WUZ’s steadfast commitment to future-proof maritime solutions.
