IHC Merwede Secures New Orders Worth More Than half- billion Euros (The Netherlands)

IHC Merwede is pleased to announce that it has recently secured assignments for dredging and offshore vessels and equipment to the value of more than €500 million. This reinforces the group’s belief that there will be continued demand for its innovative vessels, advanced equipment and life-cycle support.

The latest projects agreed and confirmed by IHC Merwede include three trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHD), one self-propelled cutter suction dredger and four large IHC Beaver® cutter dredgers. Furthermore, orders were received by: IHC Hydrohammer® for six large Hydrohammers; IHC Handling Systems for various Internal Lifting Tools and an external pile gripper tool; IHC Hytop for the supply of several hydraulic jacking systems and system packages; and IHC Deep Sea Dredging & Mining for a deep sea fall pipe.

IHC Merwede’s President Govert Hamers says, “These valuable new projects are in line with IHC Merwede’s outlook for 2010. The market which we operate in is showing clear signs of recovery. In such a climate, it is reassuring to know that IHC Merwede’s reputation as the technology innovator remains intact and our customers recognise the reliability and efficiency of our products and services. With these assignments, IHC Merwede has a strong work occupancy until 2012 and our flexibility allows us to take on even more work during that period.”

Trailing suction hopper dredgers

IHC Dredgers has acquired an assignment for two trailing suction hopper dredgers with a hopper capacity of 5,500m³ from the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI). The contract was signed on 29 April 2010 in New Delhi, India and it is effective in the meantime. These vessels will be designed to withstand the toughest possible working conditions in this region, offer an outstanding level of performance and work on a wide range of operations. The TSHDs will be built at one of IHC Merwede’s shipyards in The Netherlands and the first vessel is scheduled for completion in 2012.

In addition, IHC Dredgers has recently received a commitment from DEME (Belgium) for one 11,650m³ trailing suction hopper dredger. The new vessel, named Breughel, will be particularly suited for work in shallow water, as well as for maintaining harbours, coastal protection and land reclamation projects. The vessel will also be built at one of IHC Merwede’s shipyards in The Netherlands and is scheduled for completion in 2011.

Self-propelled cutter suction dredger

DEME also placed an order with IHC Dredgers for one jumbo self-propelled cutter suction dredger. This new vessel, named Ambiorix, will be able to dredge to a water depth of approximately 35 metres. The Ambiorix will be one of the most powerful cutter suction dredgers in the world and is suitable for heavy soil and rock. The vessel is equipped with two inboard dredge pumps and one submerged dredge pump on the cutter ladder. Furthermore, this cutter suction dredger has a barge-loading system, which can load barges moored alongside the dredger. The flexible spud carrier includes a buffer system – and other equipment – which enables dredging under unfavourable weather conditions. The dredger will be built at one of IHC Merwede’s shipyards in The Netherlands and is scheduled for completion in 2012.

IHC Beaver® cutter dredgers

IHC Beaver Dredgers has sold various large standard cutters from the IHC Beaver® range. An IHC Beaver® 50 – recently introduced and equipped with a Cutter Special Pump® and other equipment – and an IHC Beaver® 6518 C will be used in Latin America. These cutters will be equipped with various additional installations, including an IHC dredging wheel (interchangeable with the cutter) for dredging clay.

An IHC Beaver® 6518 C with an integrated flexible spud carrier will be delivered to the UAE in the Middle East. Earlier this year, the flexible spud carrier was thoroughly tested on the North Sea. It was able to protect the spud pole – to which the cutter is anchored to the sea floor – against the force of the waves to which the cutter was subjected.

An IHC Beaver® 1200 will contribute to the improved safety and development of Bangladesh’s coastal defences. The vessel will be used for deepening many waterways and creating new (higher) land. The IHC Beaver® will be powered by a modern low-emission diesel engine and will be completed with anchor booms and a profile monitoring installation.

IHC Hydrohammer®

Chinese customer ZPMC has ordered a S-800 Hydrohammer® set to drive steel piles with an outside diameter of 5.1 metres. This hammer spread will be used in China to drive foundation piles for the first offshore wind farm based on monopile foundations. IHC Hydrohammer® also secured a rental agreement over a period of 26 weeks with Saipem Asia for two S-600 Hydrohammers® and a S-280 Hydrohammer® spread, including power packs, control cabins and a 72″ sleeve.

Another rental agreement has been signed over a period of 14 weeks for a S-280 Hydrohammer® and SC-200 Hydrohammer® spread – including power pack and sleeve – for a new Malaysian customer, Sigur Ros. This order will also benefit from a short delivery time by the IHC Hydrohammer® yard in Singapore.

IHC Handling Systems

IHC Handling Systems received orders for: 11 Internal Lifting Tools (ILT), ranging from 250 to 1,200 tonnes, to various customers, including Heerema Marine Contractors, Saipem UK and Seaway Heavy Lifting; and one external pile gripper tool to J Ray McDermott in Australia. All tools have already been or will be delivered in 2010.

IHC Handling Systems also completed several rental contracts from their location in Singapore for ILTs, including deepwater versions for the Gumusut offshore project in Malaysia. ILTs equipped for use at high water depths make it possible to install mooring and template foundation piles. IHC Handling Systems also secured miscellaneous leases in the oil, gas and wind energy markets.

IHC Hytop

In early 2010, IHC Hytop signed several agreements for the delivery of multiple hydraulic jacking systems used in the renewable offshore installation industry. Shortly after this, IHC Hytop received various confirmations for the delivery of system packages. These packages are used on board permanently anchored, floating oil and gas production platforms (FPSO), which are used for the installation of production risers, anchoring the shuttle tanker and the installation of pump oil from the FPSO to the shuttle tanker.

IHC Deep Sea Dredging & Mining

The offshore branch of the Belgian DEME Group, Tideway BV, has ordered a fall pipe from IHC Deep Sea Dredging & Mining. This will be used along with other equipment to protect subsea pipelines in 2,000 metres of water depth.

Company profile IHC Merwede

IHC Merwede is focussed on the continuous development of design and construction activities for the specialist maritime sector. It is the global market leader for efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment – with vast experience accumulated over decades – and a reliable supplier of custom-built ships and supplies for offshore construction.

IHC Merwede has in-house expertise for engineering and manufacturing innovative vessels and advanced equipment, as well as providing life-cycle support. Its integrated systematic approach has helped to develop optimum product performance and long-term business partnerships. The company’s broad customer base includes dredging operators, oil and gas corporations, offshore contractors and government authorities.

IHC Merwede has over 3,000 employees based at various locations in The Netherlands, China, Croatia, France, India, the Middle East, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Technological innovation will remain the company’s underlying strength through its continuous investment in research and development. Moreover, it helps to safeguard a sustainable environment.

[mappress]

Source: IHC, June 22, 2010