Conrad To Build Damen Multi Cats For GLDD

Conrad Shipyard will begin construction this week on the first of two Damen Multi Cats for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation.

Damen Shipyards Group, based in the Netherlands, announced July 7 that it had entered into a license agreement with Conrad to build the vessels. They will be the first two Damen Multi Cats built in the United States.

“These Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) licensing agreements are a means by which U.S.-based operators are able to access Damen’s proven vessel portfolio in a manner fully compliant with the Jones Act,” said Damen sales manager Daan Dijxhoorn. License holders construct the vessel themselves in the country, drawing upon Damen’s experience in the engineering and production of the platform and on Damen’s support throughout the building process.”

DTC support is tailored to the yard’s requirements. Assistance can range from provision of initial drawings to the supply of parts packages to on-site consultancy. Damen designs built under license in the U.S. cover a wide range of vessels types including those operating in the harbour towage, terminal operations, offshore and dredging sectors. 

“This is a milestone moment for the U.S. shipping industry and our company,” said Lasse Patterson, CEO of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock. “The Multi Cats will give us the ability to dredge with enhanced operating efficiencies needed to maintain our shorelines and waterways.”

With its large winches and deck cranes, the Multi Cat can perform a wide range of tasks including handling submerged and floating pipelines as well as anchor handling and logistics supply. 

The Multi Cat brings efficiency to a project, eliminating the need for assorted floating support equipment such as derrick barges, towboats and anchor barges, Damen said in the announcement. It also significantly increases operational safety of operations, enabling hose and pipe maintenance works to take place securely on deck reducing the risk of man-overboard accidents compared to standard industry methods using floating pontoons.

Caption for photo: Conrad Shipyard will construct two Multi Cats under a license agreement with Damen Shipyards Group.