RensenDriessen design completed by De Gerlien van Tiem for VDO Maritiem

Ship repair company De Gerlien van Tiem and Damen Marine Components have signed a contract for a rudder and steering system during maritime exhibition Maritime Industry in Gorinchem. The two companies will once again build a tanker for VDO Maritiem. The barge is expected to be delivered in Q2/2024.

The newbuild vessel, to be named MTS Valentino, is based on the innovative, Shallow Draft MoneyMaker 3.0 design by RensenDriessen Shipbuilding, which is also building the hull. De Gerlien van Tiem is responsible for the complete outfitting, commissioned by VDO Maritiem.

DMC will supply the electric-hydraulic control system, four HD profile rudders and a matching rudder drive. In addition, VDO Maritiem has opted for an RMS – an active rotor manoeuvring system that demonstrably improves safety and control of the vessel in unloaded condition; ‘sailing’ in strong (cross)wind is prevented by the deployment of an RMS.

DMC recently modernised this system which has been around for 30 years. Since then, dozens of projects have been ongoing, partly due to the fact that many modern barges are lighter and show different sailing behaviour. To optimise course stability when sailing empty, many barge operators opt for one or two RMS systems.

Leo van Zon, area sales manager at DMC, says: “Due to excellent relationships and successful outfitting projects in the past, VDO Maritiem has decided to work with De Gerlien van Tiem and us again. We are proud to be trusted by both parties to fit this tanker with our systems. These projects were and are really about the cooperation between the Van den Oever brothers, hull builder RensenDriessen, the yard in Druten and DMC. That is what makes it successful and we therefore look forward to delivering this ship to our satisfaction again.”

Eric Rietveld, project manager at De Gerlien van Tiem, adds: “We are very proud to be able to finish this ship for VDO Maritiem as well. Besides the outfitting, we also produce and install our spud pole and bow thruster for this 135 by 11.45 metre inland tanker. By using our square spud pole, the ship is very stable and safe. We therefore see more and more inland navigation operators opting for this. The cooperation with DMC is invariably good and that’s why we chose their systems again.”