The Netherlands: DCI DREDGE XIX Launched

IHC Merwede has successfully named and launched the 5,500m³ trailing suction hopper dredger, DCI DREDGE XIX, in today’s ceremony  at the company’s shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands. It is building the innovative vessel for Dredging Corporation of India Ltd.

The ceremony was performed by Mrs Sunitha Vasan, the spouse of the Indian Government’s honourable Minister for Shipping, in the presence of the Minister himself and the Indian Ambassador for The Netherlands, Mrs Bhaswati Mukherjee.

The contract for the design, construction and delivery of the vessel was signed between Dredging Corporation of India Ltd and IHC Dredgers on 29 April 2010. The keel was laid on 12 September 2011 and the vessel will be delivered in the third quarter of 2012.

DCI DREDGE XIX is the first vessel from a series of three (including the DCI DREDGE XX and DCI DREDGE XXI) and will be built under dual class (Lloyd’s Register and Indian Register of Shipping). IHC Merwede has previously delivered ten vessels to Dredging Corporation of India Ltd.

The vessel will be deployed amongst others for the maintenance dredging project on the Hooghly River, which is a tributary of the Ganges River in West Bengal. The DCI DREDGE XIX is specially designed for this task, taking into account the Hooghly River’s soil properties, strong current and shallow depth. The DCI dredgers will have high productivity, reliability and efficiency capabilities, as well as low power consumption and operational costs.

Additional information

Name – DCI DREDGE XIX

Type – Trailing suction hopper dredger

Customer – Dredging Corporation of India Ltd

Builder – IHC Dredgers BV

Length overall – 114m

Breadth – 21.3m

Depth – 7.5m

Draught – 6.5m

Dredging depth – 25m

Hopper capacity – 5,500m³

Suction pipe diameter – 2 x 700mm

Speed – 14.1 knots

Accommodation – 35 people.

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, Brazil, China, Croatia, France, India, Malaysia, 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]

Dredging Today Staff, April 3, 2012; Image: ihcmerwede