Dredging diversification from Royal IHC
Netherlands based Royal IHC has launched the 5,400m3 capacity trailing suction hopper dredger DC Orisant from its shipyard at Krimpen aan den IJssel in Rotterdam.
The vessel, which is for a joint venture between Den Herder (Reimerswaal Dredging) and Group de Cloedt, features a DP2 installation which will allow it to perform support duties during the construction of offshore wind farms. Claimed to be the first complete diesel electric aggregate dredger on the market, it will be handed over to its owners following fitting out in the middle of this year.
“The DC Orisant is a TSHD with full system redundancy and can perform a wide range of projects, says Reimerswaal Dredging owner Bert den Herder. “The dredge installation has been configured to dredge marine aggregates for the construction industry. It is also highly suitable for other projects such as maintenance dredging and beach nourishment.”
Busy IHC has also recently delivered two new 8,000m3 capacity trailing suction hopper dredgers to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) at Hazira Port in Gujarat, India, following their maiden voyage through the Suez canal. They are the 11th and 12th dredgers supplied by IHC to APSEZ and are among the largest vessels in the fleet.
“These are the first two dredgers from IHC’s standardised Beagle series, says IHC’s area director Kees Derks. “They feature a multi-purpose design which makes them ideal for maintenance and capital dredging, with an increased focus on increased efficiency and uptime. Extensive training in the Netherlands and India is also an important part of this contract, and product support will be provided by IHC’s local branch in Mumbai.”
IHC’s service centre in Mumbai has recently been extended with a new workshop featuring comprehensive machinery capabilities to manufacture, maintain or refurbish parts and components for the dredging industry.
On its refurbishment side, IHC has recently completed a substantial renovation of HUTA 14, a self propelled cutter suction dredger owned by the Saudi Arabian operator Huta Marine. The project was accomplished by Dubai based IHC Middle East supported by IHC’s Asset Upgrade Service department in the Netherlands. It involved replacing HUTA 14’s three large diesel engines as well as integrating an electrical installation for the underwater pump engine and drive.
IHC Services was responsible for the engineering aspects of the rebuild, purchase and delivery of the required hardware and supervision of its installation. It also managed the commissioning following completion of works.
By Larz Bourne
