Damen Shiprepair Curaçao (DSCu) has been boosted by the arrival of two floating drydocks imported to the Caribbean island from Europe.

The Dutch group said their arrival represents a “significant uplift in capability in the region” and that it fulfills the undertaken given by Damen to the government of Curaçao when it took over the yard in 2017.

The two docks were delivered by the Cosco Heavy Transport’s 98,000-dwt Xin Guang Hua (built 2016) to the Port of Willemstad, Curacao

The larger of the two is a panamax dock measuring 230 metres by 45 metres for tankers, containerships and other large vessels.

The second, smaller dock measures 108 metres by 23 metres and is said to be suited to tugs, work boats and offshore support and anchor handling vessels.

“The yard now has a busy two to three months ahead it, both afloat and ashore. Afloat, works to the internal compartments of the docks need to be completed, with some of the ballast tanks requiring blasting, painting and repairing to make them ready for operations,” Damen said.

Meanwhile dredging contractor Van Oord will dredge the seabed beneath the docks’ final position over the next six to eight weeks and piles will be driven in the same area to allow the construction of the dolphins required to moor and operate the docks safely.

Ashore, Damen says preparations are underway to set up the necessary infrastructure to support the docks including improvements to the electrical, gas and air supply provision and investment plans have been approved for the building of a new construction hall to house the service departments, welding machines and provide training facilities for the workforce.

“Training on the floating docks will be provided by the same dock masters who operated the docks for many years in Flushing and Pernis respectively, in the Netherlands,” said Damen.

“Their experience and extensive training will play an important role in familiarising the DSCu nautical services team with their new assets.”

Lodewijk Franken, Managing Director at DSCu, said the company is already in discussions with a number of companies regarding a wide variety of vessels ranging from a local research vessel to tugs, small cruise ships and OSVs.

“We also plan to support regional naval vessels including those of the Royal Dutch Navy and with the support of a Damen Services team the yard will provide maintenance and repair services to Damen-built tugs and workboats operating in the region,” he said.