Great Lakes Shipyard to Build Damen Tugs
First Damen tugs to be built under license in the U.S.
An agreement was signed between Damen Shipyards Group and Great Lakes Shipyard for the latter to build two Stan Tugs 1907 ICE at its facility in Cleveland, marking the first instance in which Damen tugs will be built under license in the United States, according to the Ohio shipbuilder.
The ICE Class vessels will be operated by the yard’s affiliate company, The Great Lakes Towing Company, and will replace existing tonnage.
Under the agreement, Great Lakes Shipyard will receive full construction, design and engineering support from Damen, who will provide assistance based on its experience with construction of some 200 1907 design vessels.
The Stan Tug 1907 ICE was chosen on Damen’s proven design and fact-finding visits made by the management of The Great Lakes Towing Company to Damen in the Netherlands. Stan Tugs 1907 can be found operating in locations around the world including Russia, Qatar and the Netherlands.
Great Lakes Shipyard said its partnership with Damen has provided a portfolio of proven vessel designs for use by its customers in the U.S. Most of the designs have been very refined, through the progression of multiple builds. According to the shipbuilder, it is the high degree of refinement to the Stan Tug 1907 ICE design that will be of considerable benefit during the construction process, as well as to the operator for the use of the new tugs.
