At this year’s OTC in Houston, US, Damen Shipyards Group and GustoMSC announced the forming of a collaboration in order to produce a range of self-propelled and non-self-propelled jack-up platforms for the offshore industries – the DG JACK range.
The collaboration will be based on GustoMSC’s strong track record in the design of jack-ups and provision of jacking systems, combined with Damen’s extensive experience in shipbuilding and vessel optimisation, financing and worldwide after-sales services.
Nils van Nood, Managing Director at GustoMSC, said: “These jack-ups form an expansion of the Damen portfolio targeting the offshore markets in oil and gas, renewables like offshore wind, and civil construction.
“The jack-ups will be based on GustoMSC’s proven designs and will include GustoMSC’s proven jacking systems.
“As a result of this collaboration the joint Damen and GustoMSC team is fully aligned to provide an optimised solution covering the complete lifecycle of the units, including the design, the construction and delivery as well as the services during operational life.
“The future owners of these jack-ups will enjoy a product of combined Damen and GustoMSC quality and they will experience first class global services.”
Working together in this way, GustoMSC and Damen will be able to offer total control over the entire process, covering everything from basic design, through construction, to after-sales care – anywhere in the world.
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Arnout Damen, CCO at Damen, said: “The collaboration between Damen and GustoMSC represents a considered response to the needs of the entire offshore industry.
“It provides operators with a reliable, effective solution, combining GustoMSC’s expertise in design and engineering with Damen’s knowledge of construction, quality, outfitting, after sales service and finance options.
“The DG JACK will provide a bridge between the offshore energy sectors and offer the versatility to carry out multiple and varied tasks, safely, efficiently and at competitive rates, in line with market expectations.”
The decision to partner up and produce the DG JACK range is based upon feedback from the offshore markets.
DG JACKs will operate across the offshore spectrum, in both renewable and non-renewable sectors.
Peter Robert, Head of Business Development at Damen, said: “In the oil & gas markets, the demand for self-elevating service vessels such as the DG JACK range is driven largely by operation and maintenance (O&M) requirements.
“Age significantly increases the amount of topside repair, maintenance and refurbishment the operator must undertake for the platform to remain serviceable and compliant. In such circumstances the DG JACK represents an extremely cost-effective solution.”
Peter Robert concluded: “At the same time, shallow water offshore fields remain a major source of production. With enhanced technology and recovery, combined with the relatively low cost of production compared to deep and ultra-deep water locations, such sites will ensure a continuing demand for the DG JACK range, particularly at this time of low oil prices.”
Fact File: Damen Shipyards operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide.
