Damen Marine Components (DMC) has been contracted to supply rudders, steering gear and nozzles to two major newbuilding projects in India. The contracts cover a total of 14 multi-purpose vessels (MPVs), and are constructed at two shipyards: Udupi Cochin Shipyard and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. Both end-clients chose for DMC equipment.

The first project involves eight 6,300 DWT MPVs being built by Udupi Cochin Shipyard (UCSL) for a Scandinavian customer. These vessels mark the very first order placed at DMC by this yard, which is part of Cochin Shipyard Ltd.

The Dutch company will deliver its Piston-type steering gear and Atlantic-type rudders for these ships. The rudders will be tailored to this specific vessel design. All equipment will be built at, and delivered from, DMC’s own factory in China: DMC Jiangyin.

CAPABILITY TO WORK WORLDWIDE
DMC Sales Manager Bogdan Mocanu says:

“We have been active in India for 20 years and growing our footprint with this project for Udupi Cochin Shipyard makes us very proud. It shows our capability to work worldwide, tailoring our in-house designed equipment to the client’s wishes. It’s nice to see that our mutual relationship with Udupi is smooth; there’s good communication and collaboration across the board.”

SIX 7,500 DWT MPVS FOR NAVI MERCHANTS
The second project consists of six vessels for Danish shipowner Navi Merchants, built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. in Mumbai. Again, this project marks a first-time collaboration. The DMC scope includes:

• Rudder systems (Atlantic-type) and hydraulic steering gear (Piston-type)
• Propeller nozzles for propulsion efficiency

While the steering gear will come directly from DMC’s head office and production location in the Netherlands, the rudders and nozzles are manufactured at DMC Gdansk in Poland.

Bogdan:

“We’re proud to be part of these newbuilds and grateful for the trust that Navi Merchants has given us. The same goes for our first-time client Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. This high-tech shipyard is well-known for its naval vessels – destroyers, frigates, submarines. Hence, when building commercial vessels, you know one thing for sure: this will be a demanding project to the highest standards. Personally I see this contract as a milestone for DMC in the Indian maritime market.”

All components will be manufactured to meet the latest class standards and are scheduled for phased delivery starting later this year.