Second Concordia Damen pusher tug order highlights growing demand in South American inland sector
Concordia Damen has signed a contract with an undisclosed Paraguayan client for the construction of a 41-metre Shallow Draft River Pusher tug, type CDS 4115. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for 2027.
The newbuild will be deployed on the Paraguay–Paraná river system, supporting regional logistics and cargo transport operations. The order represents the second Shallow Draft River Pusher tug CDS 4115 to be built and delivered by Concordia Damen for a South American customer, further demonstrating the design’s proven performance and operational reliability in the region.
The CDS 4115 is designed and built by Dutch inland navigation shipyard Concordia Damen, further strengthening inland waterway transport capabilities in South America.
The new Shallow Draft River Pusher tug will serve along the 2,695-kilometre Paraguay River. The CDS 4115 measures 41 x 15.5 metres. In a push-barge configuration of 12 barges, the full combination reaches 281 x 48 metres, enabling large-scale cargo transport. The push tug will be equipped with Caterpillar engines, producing 5,490 HP.
With prolonged periods of low water during the dry season, an optimised shallow-draft configuration is essential to ensure year-round navigation and high cargo efficiency. Hence, the design is such that the vessel can continue to operate even when water depth drops to only 6.0 feet, an essential advantage on this waterway.
Bert Duijzer, Technical Manager at Concordia Damen, is proud: “We are honoured that we have been chosen for this joint project. It confirms the trust in our CDS designs for the South American market, and our experience with the specific operational challenges of inland waterway transport in Paraguay and the region. At Concordia Damen, we aim to combine reliable performance with our clients’ operational wishes.”
