Double Dutch dredger launch for Chinese operator
Dutch specialist ship builder IHC Merwede simultaneously launched two IHC Beaver 9029C cutter suction dredgers late last month. The vessels have been designed and built for one of IHC’s large Chinese customers, Sinohydro, at Dutch shipyards by IHC Beaver Dredgers.
ZHONG GUO SHUI DIAN J08 was named and launched at the Sliedrecht shipyard, while its sister ship, ZHONG GUO SHUI DIAN J09, was named and launched at the Hardinxveld-Giessendam shipyard. The ceremony signified IHC Merwede’s ability to supply these custom built vessels to the Chinese market and also exhibited the level of advanced technology at its disposal.
The 4,000m³/hr 13,000kW IHC Beaver 9029C cutter suction dredgers have the capacity to achieve high outputs at a relatively low cost. They can work to a depth of up to 29m under challenging conditions with a wide range of soils. Sinohydro has invested heavily in this type of custom built vessel for the execution of major dredging projects, such as the expansion of the Port of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest and busiest seaport.
The IHC Beaver 9029Cs are equipped with the latest dredging technology and features, including electrically driven cutter and winches for dredging hard soils, the use of Cutter Special pumps, which combine a large sphere passage with high efficiency and suction performance, and three dredge pumps (one submerged and single walled, and two onboard and double walled) of the same type. There are identical wear parts for each of the pumps (impeller, pump casing and wear plates). Engine rooms and onboard pumps are at main deck level for easy access and there are identical cutter and underwater pump e-motors, plus wear resistant material for onboard pipelines and dredge pumps. A separate accommodation unit is placed on vibration dampers for improved crew comfort.
In addition, ZHONG GUO SHUI DIAN J08 and ZHONG GUO SHUI DIAN J09 will be backed by IHC Merwede’s worldwide support network, which enhances the vessels’ lifetime value and the return on investment. More specifically, Sinohydro will also benefit from the attention of the Regional IHC Organisations (RIOs) worldwide and the IHC Merwede representative office in China, which offer a direct relationship and a wide range of services in the local markets. These include spare parts, training facilities (e.g. a simulator) and a fast response for technical support.
IHC Merwede’s area manager for China, André Vrijsen said, ‘We will always look at customers’ requirements before deciding on the best methods and locations to supply our products and systems. This approach gives us the option of manufacturing custom built solutions at our traditional facilities in The Netherlands and standard vessels at our joint venture shipyard in China.’
