Damen Shipyards and Van Stee Offshore have signed a contract for delivery of the first Multibuster 8020 – a new class of 80-metre, ultra-shallow draught, multi-purpose workboats. Kommer Damen, Chairman of Damen Shipyards Group, and Arjan van Stee of Van Stee Offshore inked the deal during the Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference 2022 this week.
The vessel is the brainchild of Arnout Damen who recognized that workboats of this size and capability were not only in short supply but would also be increasingly required in the years ahead.
The basis of the design was developed by naval architecture studio OSD-IMT, part of the Damen Shipyards Group, and construction got underway at Albwardy Damen Sharjah in the UAE in 2020. Key features of the design in addition to the shallow draught include extensive deck space, ample accommodation and the high stability that enables the fitting of larger cranes than those on vessels of a similar size.
DP2 dynamic positioning is standard and the propulsion system includes a retractable tunnel bow thruster that ensures that two tunnel thrusters are available at all times for enhanced maneuverability.
According to Damen, all third-part equipment is sourced from leading brands.