Construction starts on Boskalis new megahopper

Construction on the Boskalis’ new Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger has begun at Royal IHC Krimpen aan den IJssel yard in the Netherlands, with first steel cut on 9 January.

Boskalis Executive Board member Theo Baartmans officially cut the first steel plate of their new 31,000m3 TSHD designed by Royal IHC in close cooperation with Boskalis.

“A big shout out to our Metalix department. It’s thanks to their craftsmanship and dedication that we are on the way to the construction of this state-of-the-art dredger,” said IHC in the announcement.

The new vessel, one of the largest hopper dredgers in the Boskalis fleet, features energy-efficient design including the full diesel-electric installation and propulsion via Azipods.

One of the features is the use of (green) methanol as an alternative fuel. The methanol plant and storage tanks on board make this switch possible.

With a double suction pipe equipped with underwater pumps and two discharge pumps with a combined discharge capacity of 15,000 kW, the new trailing suction hopper dredger will be well suited for dredging and discharge of material over the long distances to a reclamation site.

The new vessel is expected to enter service in mid-2026.