Damen Shipyards Group has signed a strategic agreement with Mexico’s Chomex Marino to build two Damen OST 120 offshore support tugs. The vessels will support Woodside Energy ‘s deepwater operations in the Gulf of Mexico, setting a new standard in efficiency and operational versatility.
An offshore support tugboat project
The initiative is in response to a tender launched by Woodside for a 15-year charter contract. Damen through its partner Chomex Marino, submitted the OST 120 design and got the go-ahead from the Australian operator. The vessels will be built at the Albwardy Damen shipyard in the United Arab Emirates, meeting stringent standards for safety, risk management and operational efficiency(HSSEQ).
The tugs will be 67 meters in length, 18 meters in beam and will have a 120-tonne fixed point draught both fore and aft. In addition, their free deck will offer 250 m² of usable deck space, positioning them as highly functional units for offshore support activities. This design allows for complex maneuvers under severe sea conditions, supported by its DP2 dynamic positioning system.
These vessels are equipped for multiple activities: line and hose handling, cargo line maintenance, tanker assistance, ROV deployment and spill response operations. In addition, they can store and transfer chemicals in the field, which eliminates the need for additional auxiliary vessels and contributes to the reduction of operational emissions.
The tugboats will operate with a 100% Mexican crew, which strengthens the role of the national maritime industry in large-scale offshore projects. Fausto Correa, general manager of Chomex Marino, expressed his enthusiasm for the impact this collaboration will have on the national energy sector.
For his part, Marnix Brouwer, Damen’s area manager for North America, highlighted the importance of these vessels as modern technology that is adaptable to the changing needs of offshore operations in the market.
Source and photo: Damen
