‘Greenest’ bed leveler for Dutch Dredging
Dutch Dredging (Baggerbedrijf de Boer) can claim to have the world’s ‘greenest’ bed leveler following the addition of the newbuild Peter to its fleet last month.
The 22.4m long vessel, which is the fifth bed leveller in the Dutch Dredging fleet, complies not only with the strict IMO Tier 3 standard for the emission of harmful substances in shipping but also with the Euro Stage 5 standard for emissions in inland shipping.
The Peter is an even more advanced version of its sister ship Kees Jr. Built by Hoekman Ship building, it features a beam of 7m and a draught of 2.8m. The multifunctional vessel has been fitted with both multibeam and single beam sonar, enabling beds to be mapped in three dimensions. The resulting surveys not only analyse the work to be done but provide an account to the client.
Two 550hp Scania main engines were fitted with after-treatment systems to clean exhaust gases.
John Nieuwenhuijse, manager of newbuildings at Dutch Dredging said, “We installed a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) in the exhaust which converts nitrogen oxides into water vapour and nitrogen. We also have diesel articulate filters (DPF) to reduce soot emissions, so we can now cater to the increasing demand from clients for low-emission vessels.”
With the installation of thes systems, Dutch Dredging is taking pre-emptive steps to comply with the legislation that IMO Tier 3 and Euro Stage 5 will make compulsory in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The Peter also has a Green Passport from the International Maritime Organisation, demonstrating that its operator is committed to preventing harm to the environment throughout the lifecycle of the vessel, including its eventual demolition.
Sliedrecht based Dutch Dredging is a medium sized company which currently employs some 150 people and operates a fleet of 30 vessels.
By Larz Bourne
