Damen Shipyards Group and Sri Lanka Shipping Company Limited (SLSC) – a subsidiary of the Advantis Group, the transportation and logistics arm of Hayleys PLC – have celebrated the arrival of two new Damen ASD 2312 tugs, with the naming ceremony taking place at the Port of Colombo. Not only is this the first time that the two organisations have done business together, it is also the first time that Damen has supplied new tugs to an entity based in Sri Lanka.

SLSC placed the order for the two tugs, named Aquarius and Capricorn, in November 2023 and they were officially handed over in the second quarter of FY 2024. The short period between ordering and receiving the vessels was due to Damen’s policy of building its most popular vessels for stock. This guarantees that customers have timely access to the vessels they require. The two tugs were constructed at Damen’s Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam, known for its specialisation in building tugs in series for global distribution. The Aquarius and Capricorn were delivered to Sri Lanka directly on their keels. Before their departure from Vietnam, a Buddhist priest conducted a blessing ceremony on board the two vessels to ensure good fortune and the safety of their crews.

Following the tugs’ arrival at Columbo, the official naming ceremony and blessing of the vessels took place on the 12^th of September. This was attended by guests of honour including Her Excellency Mrs Bonnie Horbach, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka, who officially named the vessels; Mr Mohan Pandithage, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC; Mr Ruwan Waidyaratne, the Managing Director of the Advantis Group; Mr Surindha de Abrew, the Director/CEO of Sri Lanka Shipping Company Limited; Mr Keith Bernard, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Mr Rabien Bahadoer, the Regional Sales Director Asia Pacific of Damen Shipyards.

Mr Mohan Pandithage commented, “Joining the Damen family is truly special for us. With our extensive histories in the maritime industry, our organisations share core values such as the significance of family and the importance of building strong, trust-based relationships for the long-term. Kommer and Arnoud Damen have warmly welcomed us and we eagerly anticipate many years of fruitful collaboration.”

Commenting on the occasion, Mr Ruwan Waidyaratne stated, “We are excited to be welcoming these new tugs to our fleet. They position Advantis to elevate its service offerings through cutting-edge technology and enhanced operational efficiency. With their advanced capabilities, these vessels are equipped to handle more complex manoeuvres, delivering superior precision in port operations. This investment not only strengthens Advantis’ ability to support the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) – a vital maritime hub in the Asian region – but also contributes to more streamlined and efficient port services, solidifying our role as a key partner in the development of the nation’s maritime infrastructure.”

Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen Shipyards Group, added: “It is an honour to be working with an organisation that shares many of our values. I am confident that this marks the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership. It is a privilege for us to embark on this exciting journey alongside SLSC.”

In addition, Rabien Bahadoer stated: “We are honoured that our state-of-the-art ASD Tug 2312 have been selected by Sri Lanka Shipping Company for this next phase in the evolution of the Port of Colombo. We are delighted that SLSC chose Damen for this important role, and we look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”

SLSC selected the 23-metre ASD Tug 2312 based on its proven outstanding performance (70 tonnes bollard pull) for its size and its exceptional manoeuvrability thanks to its patented twin Fin skeg design plus twin azimuth thrusters. Additional technical factors in the decision included the tugs’ versatility together with their digital connectivity, fuel efficiency and low emissions. SLSC also opted for Damen’s award-winning Triton remote monitoring system to ensure maximum efficiency and minimum downtime. The vessels will be working at the Port of Colombo, one of the busiest in the world due to its strategic location on the Indian Ocean.