Dutch launch Belgian dredger

IHC Merwede is building the vessel for the DEME Group and the Congo River is one of the largest ships in the Belgian-based company’s fleet. The contract for the design, construction and delivery of the vessel was signed between DEME NV and IHC Dredgers BV in December 2008 and the keel was laid a year later on 15 December 2009. The newbuilding will be commissioned mid-2011.

The name Congo River is in line with the tradition of DEME NV to name some of its large ships after the world’s great rivers. The new vessel has a length of 168m long, a 38m breadth, and a depth of 13.3m, has excellent manoeuvrability and is also multifunctional because of its limited length-to-width ratio. With a relatively low draught when fully loaded, the dredger will be able to manoeuvre easily in shallow waters which makes her suitable for working in ports as well as for long-distance sand transportation.

With this vessel, DEME expands its fleet of highly competitive ships, which began with the

Pallieter

-class and

Brabo

-class. Fitted with a deep suction dredging installation and 1300mm diameter suction pipes, the

Congo River

can dredge to depths greater than 100m. It also features a one-man bridge operation.