Navalrocha completes multimillion-dollar dredger repair for Jan De Nul

Portugal’s Navalrocha Shipyard has completed a multimillion-dollar project for the Luxembourg-based company Jan De Nul Group as it targets growth across the Benelux dredging sector.

The cluster-contract involving repair work to two split hopper barges and one trailing suction hopper dredger (Tiger, De Bougainville, and Le Guerrier) was finalised at the end of November 2022.

Key elements of the project involved complex heavy-lift operations to replace 40-tonne hydraulic cylinders, plus Ballast Water Treatment System installations.

Broader work included 33-tonnes of steel renewal, along with piping, mechanical and electrical repairs, combined with blasting, painting and tank cleaning.

Navalrocha Commercial Director, Sergio Rodrigues, said that the project helps illustrate the yard’s niche offering.

“This marks another important milestone in our long-standing relationship with world-renowned dredging operator, Jan De Nul,” he said.

“At Navalrocha, we offer a series of key benefits to the dredging and offshore support market, with a strong track record, combined with world-class skills and facilities to deliver complex repair projects.

“The scale of our yard, with four drydocks and a pier-side facility, ensures ultra-tight control with every project receiving our undivided attention. In addition, our geo-strategic location makes for an ideal stop-off point for vessels travelling on repositioning routes between the Atlantic, North Africa and the Mediterranean.”

Navalrocha has supported Jan De Nul since 2012 by delivering multiple ship repair projects – including work on split hopper barges L’Etoile and Boussole.

The yard’s continued expansion across the Benelux region, home to several of the world’s largest dredging operators, is being supported by its longest serving agent and local partner Wilcamar & Co, based in Rotterdam.