The Netherlands: IHC Merwede Focusses on Innovation at Europort 2011

As a global market leader in dredging and mining vessels and equipment, and a reliable supplier of custom-built ships and supplies for offshore construction, IHC Merwede will be among the leading exhibitors at the Europort 2011 exhibition and CEDA Dredging Days technical forum in The Netherlands.

The Europort event is one of the world’s largest maritime exhibitions and will take place in the heart of the Port of Rotterdam on 8-11 November. The show focuses on all areas of the shipbuilding industry, from naval and dredging, to fishing and offshore, and attracts more than 800 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors biennially to Ahoy Rotterdam. This year, IHC Merwede will again take its place at stand 1312 to showcase innovative vessels, advanced equipment and life-cycle support for the dredging, mining and offshore markets. The eye-catching and fully interactive display will include an iPad column and movie screens.

A number of impressive scale models will showcase the wide range of innovative vessels engineered and manufactured by IHC Merwede. The company’s goal of meeting the specific requirements of every customer worldwide is highlighted by: the custom-built CONGO RIVER and standard BEAGLE trailing suction hopper dredgers; and the self-propelled ATHENA and standard IHC Beaver® cutter suction dredgers. In addition, IHC Merwede’s expertise in dredgers is supported by its line-up of special vessels, including the grab hopper and backhoe dredger on display at Europort 2011.

The largest mono-hull, heavy lifting vessel in the world, the OLEG STRASHNOV is one of IHC Merwede’s biggest attractions in the offshore sector. It will be joined by a multi-purpose offshore support vessel, the TYPE-22 HOS ACHIEVER.

The IHC Merwede stand will also feature examples of advanced equipment designed to meet the demands of the dredging, mining and offshore sectors, such as two flexible spud carriers for a self-propelled cutter suction dredger and an IHC Beaver® dredger. The Curve® is a new type of pump impeller with blades designed to improve the suction characteristics and reduce the wear rate of a dredge pump. Furthermore, the patented BoneCrusher® is a suction/discharge hose that has been designed by IHC Merwede with innovatively shaped steel rings to protect the rubber from abrasion and therefore ensure durability.

Other innovations on display will include: IHC Lagersmit’s environmentally friendly thrusters seal, the SUPREME Ventus; IHC Deep Sea Dredging & Mining’s dredging crawler and riser for deep-sea excavation and vertical transport over long distances; IHC Systems’ excavator simulator, including the innovative cycle automation already delivered in 2011; and examples of IHC Hytop’s winches and power units.

IHC Hytop will also introduce its range of flushing units for the rental market, with the capacity to handle large-diameter pipes. The business unit can manage every aspect of the flushing process – up to 9,000 litres per minute – from the engineering and execution, to the delivery of the reports.

IHC Merwede will also be one of the main participants in CEDA Dredging Days, a premier technical forum for the industry, which also takes place at Ahoy Rotterdam on 10-11 November.

On the first day, the company’s business units, MTI Holland and IHC Beaver Dredgers, will give a presentation on the use of life-cycle analysis for assessing the sustainability of dredging equipment and its manufacturing processes and IHC Systems will host a seminar on taking dredging precision to the extreme. On day two, MTI Holland and IHC Deep Sea Dredging & Mining will be making a presentation on vertical hydraulic transport for deep-sea mining applications in co-operation with the Delft University of Technology.

CEDA Dredging Days is preceded by a special technical tour to IHC Merwede’s shipyard in Kinderdijk. Guests will have the opportunity to visit the yard and the slipway – where vessel construction takes place – and be given an insight into OceanflORE, the joint venture between IHC Merwede and DEME for developing deep-sea mining activities.

“Europort 2011 and CEDA Dredging Days are important events on IHC Merwede’s calendar,” says IHC Merwede President Goof Hamers. “Not only is the exhibition held close to the company’s heartland, but it also encompasses all of our business in the world of dredging, mining and offshore. This year’s theme of advanced technology highlights the importance of the technology innovator by demonstrating our vast experience and expertise as a global player.”

 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, 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: ihcmerwede, September 13, 2011;