The world’s largest dual-fuel TSHD launched in China

A launching ceremony of the world’s biggest and China’s first dual-fuel powered trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Xin Hai Xun took place in Qidong, east China’s Jiangsu Province, last week.

With a liquefied natural gas (LNG) clean energy capacity of 15,000 cubic meters, the vessel (ordered by CCCC Shanghai Dredging) boasts a total length of 155.7 meters, a breadth of 32-meters, a depth of 13.5 meters, and a structural draft of 9.9 meters.

This is coupled with a large hopper capacity of 17,000 cubic meters.

Independently developed in China, the ship uses LNG clean energy as its primary power source. In the event that LNG filling conditions cannot be met, the vessel is equipped with a backup diesel power system.

The ship, built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC), is also kitted with cutting-edge technology, and features China’s “one-key dredging” system.

This system enables the vessel to use the “dredging and driving in one” approach, facilitating “unmanned dredging” functionality under typical working conditions.

Scheduled for delivery in September 2024, the Xin Hai Xun will mainly be used for dredging, reclamation, and coastal maintenance projects within coastal ports and deep-water channels.