Alewijnse Signs Major Royal Netherlands Navy Contract
Alewijnse Marine Systems has signed a major contract with Dutch Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) for the installation of the electrical systems on the planned Joint Logistic Support Ship (JSS) for the Dutch Navy. Alewijnse will play a full role in the ‘Integral Approach’ system, ensuring that the yard and its subcontractors work in the most coordinated and efficient manner possible.
This is the largest single contract ever undertaken by Alewijnse and will involve the commitment of the company for the next four years. The total joint order consists of the installation of the ship-wide electrical systems including those for command and control, environmental systems, power distribution and monitoring, up to and including the commissioning phase.
Largest Ship
When completed in 2014 the JSS at 205m and 28,000 tonnes will be the largest ship in the Royal Netherlands Navy. It is being designed to act as a robust, multi-functional platform capable of replenishing other ships at sea, to operate as a mobile base for transport helicopters moving personnel and heavy equipment, and to play a major role in humanitarian and disaster relief operations. The vessel will carry 175 crew and up to 125 additional personnel. The JSS will be built at the Damen facility at Galati, Romania, on the Danube before being towed to the Netherlands for further outfitting of its special systems followed by final commissioning and completion.
AAR
While project management for the electrical installation will be mainly carried out by Alewijnse Marine Nijmegen (AMN) in the Netherlands, the installation work will be performed by its biggest subsidiary Alewijnse Retec Romania (ARR), with work preparation and relevant engineering being undertaken by a specially created engineering bureau within the company. Part of the Alewijnse Group for more than 10 years, ARR has during that time made significant contributions to the Group’s project portfolio. With a dynamic and flexible team of 220 employees and proven experience on more than 200 different projects, ARR has consistently demonstrated its professionalism and formidable on-site project management capabilities, with a focus on the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Recent orders that have exercised the company’s skills include four 108-metre patrol vessels for the Royal Netherlands Navy – two of which are currently under construction at the Damen Galati shipyard, with the remaining pair being built at Damen Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen.
Stategic Partner
“Alewijnse has over the years co-operated extensively with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, and we are delighted to have reached agreement on this our latest and largest project so far”, commented Dick Alewijnse, CEO of Alewijnse Holding BV. “We are proud that Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding has once again chosen Alewijnse as a strategic partner based on our knowledge, skilled workforce and unrivalled capabilities in systems installation, and our record on co-operation on large projects”