June 8 - Damen has commenced construction of two identical Crane Barge 6324 transhipment vessels, designed for ship-to-ship, ship-to-barge and ship-to-quay operations.
Damen says that the barge design is suitable for flexible harbour services and is able to tranship dry bulk, containers and breakbulk cargo. The 63 m long vessel has 750 sq m of deck space, in addition to below deck storage.
Both crane barges will be installed with a Liebherr CBG 350 crane, which provides hook loading capabilities of 45 tonnes at 36 m.
Damen design engineer Hugo Hoekstra explained that the vessels could be used for conventional breakbulk but also project cargo.
"The barge has a deadweight of 1,720 tonnes and a large unobstructed deck from which 440 sq m is covered with wood and lashing points.
"These specifications make it possible to, for example, use the barge to ship cargo in areas where there is not sufficient water depth available to handle bigger vessels. The barge is brought to the cargo ship, which is anchored in deeper waters and loads or unloads the cargo."
He told HLPFI that the barge has been designed as a "cost-effective, flexible platform" and Damen expects interest from clients in various industries.
