Foss Maritime and Damen Shipyards will collaborate on modified design for the Damen ASD 2813 escort/assist tug vessel to supplement Foss’ fleet, and the new build series will be available for purchase in the U.S. market, the companies announced on Monday.
Foss and Damen entered into a memorandum of understanding to design, build, and market a modified version of the 6,800-horsepower, 90-ton bollard pull tug to meet unique demands of the U.S. market. At least 10 tugs will be built, with the first four being built at the Foss Shipyard in Rainier, Oregon, and delivered in 2019.
“This partnership supports our shared goals,” John Parrott, the president and CEO of Foss, said. “It means, we can strengthen our fleet while meeting the demands of our customers, and at the same time Damen has the opportunity to market their innovative tug designs in the U.S.”
Foss currently has the largest fleet of tugs and barges on the West Coast. The company services customers in the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America and all major ports along the West Coast.
“Working with Foss will enable us to strengthen our relationship while serving the North American market with state-of-the-art, cost-effective and dependable vessels,” Jan van Hogerwou, the vice president of new construction in North America at Damen, said . “We’re excited about this collaboration and look forward to working closely with Foss.”