Damen Shipyards and Van Stee Offshore sign contract for delivery of the first Multibuster 8020
Thursday 1 December 2022
At the Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference 2022 Kommer Damen, Chairman of Damen Shipyards Group, and Arjan van Stee of Van Stee Offshore have signed a contract for the delivery next year of an 80-metre Multibuster 8020 ultra-shallow draught, multi-purpose workboat. Van Stee’s Multibuster 8020 is the first of a new class that combines the key elements of Damen’s highly successful workboat classes to create a large-scale platform capable of undertaking a wide variety of projects in waters as shallow as three metres.
The vessel is the brainchild of Damen CEO 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 inhouse, 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. All third-part equipment is sourced from leading brands.
As well as serving the offshore renewables and oil & gas sectors performing duties ranging from anchor-handling and towing to ROV operations, cable laying and beach pulling. The Multibuster is expected to be in demand for nearshore operations. The vessel is built to ground out on the beach for tasks such as cable landings and shore approaches.