Innovative dredger for Van Oord

The Rotterdam-based dredging company Van Oord has placed an order for a large self-propelled cutter suction dredger which will be built at IHC Merwede’s Kinderdijk shipyard. The new vessel will be one of the largest cutter suction dredgers in the world and delivery is scheduled for the autumn of 2011.

With a total installed power of some 24,000 kW, the vessel will be equipped with two on-board dredge pumps and one submerged dredge pump on the cutter ladder. The maximum dredging depth is 28 metres. Its length over all is approximately 130 metres and its beam 27.8 metres. The newbuilding will be able to accommodate a crew of up to 44.

The cutter suction dredger is characterised by its high level of reliability and its robust construction and, in addition to state-of-the-art components and materials, a large number of innovative and sustainable systems are also used including:

– New-generation hydraulic flexible spud carriage to increase workability

– IHC Cutter Special pumps for improved suction power and efficient mixture transport

– Flexibly designed engines and a flexibly designed deck house to provide comfort in the accommodation and wheelhouse

– Environmentally friendly systems and accreditations, including the “green passport”

The vessel complies in all respects with the latest, more stringent regulations on emissions.

IHC Merwede is also building a new, very large trailing suction hopper dredger for Van Oord, the 32,000 m³ VOX DUBAI, due to be launched in 2009. Van Oord has undertaken a major investment programme of more than EUR 1 billion. ?A heavy-duty, self-propelled cutter suction dredger will be an important addition to our fleet,? says managing director Pieter van Oord. ?As a leading international dredging company, we are expanding our activities in the heavy cutter suction dredger market. Global long-term demographics and economic growth are leading to a growing demand for new land, ports and navigable waterways.