RoPax ferry takes shape at Niron Staal

Niron Staal, part of Damen Shipyards Group, has performed a keel-laying ceremony of the hull of a passenger ferry. On completion, Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld will carry out the final outfitting work of the 5212 RoPax for an African client.

“We are very proud to be working on this hull fabrication – this project really displays the added value of the years’ of experience that we have here,” comments Niron Staal Director Roland Berends. “In practical terms, this results in a significant reduction in the time needed for preparatory work and engineering.” By providing this ‘head-start’ in hull construction, Niron Staal is able to schedule the finished and painted hull to be delivered in just less than 70 days: on 10 January 2017.

Shared input

The timely start and smooth running of the project so far is due to the cooperation between all parties involved, says Mr Berends, “We have all been working as one team with full transparency of information, costs and quality.”

“For example, the basic and detailed engineering phases have drawn on the expertise of both our own engineers and those from Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld. And the Hardinxveld Project Manager is just as involved in the build process as our own Project Manager.”

An eye on the future

Although Niron Staal is part of Damen Shipyards Group, this RoPax hull actually marks the first new build contract between the two parties. “This is an important step in our relationship,” notes Mr Berends. “Our capacity to fabricate quality hulls forms a bridge between Damen’s new building and repair activities.”

Looking at the acquisition of future contracts, this latest project demonstrates Niron Staal’s growing position in the ferry market. Located in the harbour of Amsterdam, the company does not have to look far for potential customers. “Looking across the water, you can see that the City Council of Amsterdam has an extensive network of ferries. How fantastic would it be to have Amsterdam’s ferries built in Amsterdam.”