Van Oord launches first of two WIDs

As yet to be named, the two vessels are sisters to Maas and Mersey, which were built by Kooiman Marine Group and began operating in 2021. One has already been launched, the second will go the same way at a date to be confirmed.

As well as performing water injection dredging, the vessels also have mass flow and power jetting systems and the latest technology in heave compensation and dynamic positioning, Van Oord says, which means dredging can be largely automated and performed more efficiently. 

Thanks to their manoeuvrability and very limited draught, these vessels are perfectly suited for maintenance dredging in shallow harbours.

The WIDs will be equipped with a hybrid energy management system to store energy in batteries that can be used later for propulsion and other purposes, complying with IMO Tier III legislation for reducing NOx emissions and taking account of EU STAGE V legislation, the company says.