Damen upgrades idled CN Bulkers vessels

The work took place at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (Schiedam) and Damen Shiprepair Van Brink Rotterdam (Pernis). The vessels, all between 16,000 and 17,000 DWT, had been inactive following the insolvency of their previous owners and had not been dry-docked since 2012.

The scope of work, which started in January, included five-year special surveys for three of the ships and a fifteen-year special survey for the fourth. Each underwent a thorough cleaning and repainting below the waterline, as well as blasting and painting on the topsides.

Once the works below the waterline were completed one of the vessels was moved to a smaller dock for the interior work. Activities included inspection and maintenance of the valves and gearboxes; load testing of the cranes where applicable; and laying out of the anchors and chains. One of the carriers also needed an engine overhaul and straightening of the crankshaft. This was carried out in situ in the engine room. The last vessel left the dock on the 8 March.

“It’s been ten years since we last had vessels from [management company] Universal Marine at Damen, so it’s a pleasure to welcome them back,” said Boudewijn Baan, sales manager at Damen Shiprepair & Conversion.

Part of the work involved painting on the new name for each vessel, now called Sotra, Sanna, Senja and Silda.