WILLEMSTAD - The semi-submersible vessel, DCV Balder, built in 1978 and converted in 2001 into a construction vessel on the high seas, arrived in Curaçao on December 11th. This ship with large cranes sails under Panamanian flag.
On December 11th, the ship moored at Caracas Bay with the assistance of Kompania di Tou Kòrsou (KTK). Here, various ship components from the lighter H-407 were hoisted aboard DCV Balder. On December 13th, the Balder was tied up to the buoy at St. Michielsbaai with the help of KTK for underwater work, such as on one of the propellers under the ship. That job was done by local contractors and subcontractors.
On December 21st, 2021, the Balder returned to Caracas Bay with the assistance of KTK for continued maintenance and repair work, by Damen Ship Repair among others and where several other local companies were involved in the process. This certainly has a positive economic impact for Curaçao.
Also involved in this project is the barge H-407 sailing under the Panamanian flag. This barge is towed by the tug Bylgia, sailing under the Dutch flag. On December 1st, 2021, the tug Bylgia and the barge H-407 arrived at Caracas Bay.
The crew members, who had come to work on the ship, stayed in hotels. These crew members used cabs daily and local laboratories also benefited any time they had to take tests to be able to travel. Also, don't forget the companies that provided waste transportation, etc.
This entire project will end by late March 2022.