The design incorporates features successfully pioneered by the 5,400m3 'Pallieter', adapting them to the popular 10,000m3 class. Breydel follows the 'Brabo' as the second of two 9,000m3 newbuilds for DEME. The distinguishing characteristics of the Brabo/Breydel design are a draft of only 9.1m and a substantial 28m beam, which ensure the vessel can operate in locations where other similar capacity vessels might encounter difficulties because of length or draft.

With a total installed power of 10,890kW, the twin screw vessel will sail at 14.8 knots and also features two bow thrusters for optimum manoeuvrability. It will dredge to a depth of 43m through a single port side suction pipe of 1,200mm internal diameter. Dredged material can be discharged directly into the sea through two rows of rectangular bottom doors or through two front unloading doors for use in shallow water. These latter submerged doors do not protrude under the ship when opened. Dredged material can also be pumped to shore through a floating pipeline or 'rainbowed' through a bow nozzle.

IHC Merwede has also taken steps to position itself globally with the pre-Christmas launch of its first regional office in Singapore. By setting up a Singapore office IHC Merwede believes it has positioned itself to capture over 55% of the market for dredging and offshore construction equipment in the rapidly expanding Asia Pacific market.