en.Wedoany.com Reported - Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Carmet Tug Company for the construction of a Multi Cat 2309 multipurpose workboat, with delivery scheduled just four weeks after signing.
The contract was signed on June 9 at Seawork, the major European workboat exhibition held in Southampton. Carmet urgently needed a Multi Cat, and Damen provided a vessel from stock through its inventory building program. This inventory model is central to the deal: in a market where vessel delivery times often impact project schedules, Damen's rapid delivery capability offers operators a practical option, particularly for tasks such as towing, dredging support, marine civil engineering, and project support.
Carmet already operates second-hand Damen vessels, including the Shoalbuster and Stan Tug. The company stated that these experiences helped guide its decision to contact Damen when a new Multi Cat was needed. In mid-May, Carmet representatives visited Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld in the Netherlands to inspect the vessel and take it for a sea trial, after which they confirmed their intention to order.
The Multi Cat 2309 is a multipurpose workboat designed for towing, anchor handling, supply, dredger support, and general offshore operations. Damen describes the model as a twin-propulsion vessel with a spacious deck area and accommodation suitable for workboat operations. For towage and workboat service providers in the UK maritime sector, the vessel offers deck space, bollard pull, and workboat flexibility to handle a variety of tasks.
Prior to delivery, Damen painted the vessel in Carmet's colors and made it compliant with the requirements of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Damen will also install its Damen Marine NOx Reduction System, a selective catalytic reduction system designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 80%, meeting IMO Tier III requirements. Damen plans to deliver the vessel on July 3.
Joshua Metcalfe, Managing Director of Carmet, said the company is satisfied with the performance of the Damen vessels already in its fleet. He stated: "When we needed a new Multi Cat with a short delivery time, we asked Damen if they could support us. The speed at which Damen provided the vessel exceeded all expectations. The availability of a vessel from stock, adjusted to our needs, in turn allows us to offer a rapid response to our customers."
Wijtze van der Leij, Damen's UK Sales Manager, said the order demonstrates the benefits of building vessels in series and holding stock for rapid delivery. He stated: "I am pleased that we were able to support the company with a fast delivery, which clearly showcases the advantages of our inventory building program." He added that Carmet's positive experience with Damen vessels set the expectations for the new Multi Cat 2309.
The signing highlights a broader pattern in the workboat market: operators often require vessels on short notice, while shipyards typically need longer production cycles. Damen's solution is to build standardized vessels before signing contracts, then adjust them according to the customer's flag, color scheme, and operational profile. For Carmet, this means delivery from signing on June 9 to early July; for its customers, the impact will be felt in vessel availability.
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