First Damen Tug for Peru

Ian Taylor Peru chooses ASD 2810 for harbour duties in the Port of Callao

Launching the business relationship between the two companies, Ian Taylor Peru has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for an ASD Tug 2810. The vessel’s MTU engine and rapid delivery time were both key aspects of the contract. The two companies are also concluding negotiations for an additional order of a second identical vessel.

Ian Taylor Peru, the Peruvian subsidiary of the Chilean group of companies Empresas Taylor, has been active in Peru’s towing sector since 1991. The company currently has four tugs in operation there. Looking to expand the fleet within a short timescale, the company turned to Damen: “We wanted the vessel this year and fortunately Damen had one which could be ready in June,” says Empresas Taylor Chief Legal Officer Jack Howard.

Choice of Engine

Damen is currently performing the finishing touches to the new tug at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. The outfitting includes modification of the FiFi equipment to bring the capacity up to 600m3 per minute and the addition of a preventative maintenance system.

The fact that Damen is installing an MTU engine into the new 28-metre vessel was also an important factor of the contract. “Almost all of our tugs in Peru have MTU engines. Considering inventory and maintenance, it is easier for us to stick with this brand.”

A matter of trust

Another notable aspect of this contract is the fact that Ian Taylor Peru – a first-time customer with Damen – decided not to carry out inspections during the construction period, being satisfied with visiting the yard in Vietnam at the moment of sea trials in June. “We are dealing with a first class and highly reputable company whose vessel is a proven product,” continues Mr Howard. “Simply put – we know that Damen builds excellent vessels so we trust them and we trust that we will get what we asked for.”

With this new vessel, Ian Taylor Peru will continue its tradition of naming its vessels after Peruvian mountains: this ASD 2810 will take the name Tayco Rasac. The contract also includes transport of the completed vessel from the yard in Vietnam to the Port of Callao, Peru’s primary seaport.

“We are proud to welcome Ian Taylor as a new client,” comments Damen Sales Manager Americas Ezequiel Najmias. “We are already talking to them about a second identical vessel – which we could also deliver very quickly as we have one on stock.”

“We now have tugs on stock with either Caterpillar or MTU engines. We are pleased to be able to offer our clients this choice of engine supplier.”