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Damen inks four vessel contract with Toyota Tsusho

Damen Shipyards Group is to provide vessels for Toyota Tsusho to use in an Angolan port development project.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

July 17, 2024

2 Min Read
Damen signs four vessel contract with Toyota Tsusho for Angolan port development project
Photo: Damen

The order consists of two ASD Tugs 2813, a Pushy Cat 1004, and a Stan Pilot 1905. The vessels will be provided to the Ministry of Transport Angola as part of a Japanese Government funded port development project in Namibe.

Damen will deliver the vessels in Q1 2025. The shipbuilder had already commenced construction of the vessels at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, the Netherlands (Pushy Cat 1004), Damen Shipyards Antalya, Turkey (Stan Pilot 1905) and Damen Song Cam Shipyard, Vietnam (ASD Tugs 2813), prior to receiving the order.

Japanese trading house Toyota Tsusho that supports Toyota Motors and is a first-time client for Damen. In addition to supporting the business activities of Toyota Motors, the company is also active in industrial, commercial and consumer sectors. Toyota Tsusho frequently collaborates with the Japanese Government on infrastructure projects around the world.

The port development project is Toyota Tsusho’s first such project in the African nation and commenced in early 2019.

The project includes, amongst other measures, the expansion of the Namibe container terminal and construction of a new terminal.

“The port development project enables an increase in vessel traffic in Namibe,” said Hiroumi Ohara, General Manager Africa Power & Infrastructure Department of Toyota Tsusho.

Related:Damen launches first electric tug to operate in Europe

“To facilitate this, the port requires new, high-quality workboats. We approached Damen, being aware of the company’s reputation for the fast delivery of proven, high performing vessels. We are looking forward to cooperating with Damen during the construction of these new vessels, which will play an important role in giving a boost to the Angolan economy in the coming years.”

 Given the nature of this contract, which holds significant potential for Angola, we are particularly pleased to have been selected by Toyota Tsusho. We are looking forward to cooperating on the delivery of these four vessels, and to building a close relationship for the long-term,” explained Thomas Röwekamp, Regional Sales Director Asia Pacific at Damen.

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About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

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