The Marine Technology Lübeck Business Unit of Krupp Fördertechnik GmbH has been granted an order to
build two trailing suction hopper dredgers for the French harbor authority Dragages-Ports. The order encompasses the complete engineering package, as well as the delivery of the dredging components for one 5,000 cu. m and 8,500 cu. m hopper suction dredger. Measuring 341 x 384 ft. (104 x 117 m), the vessels will be known as the largest to operate in France.
With Krupp Fördertechnik assuming system responsibility for both vessels, the 5,000 cu. m dredger will work on the Seine River while the 8,500 cu m vessel will operate on the Loire. Similarly designed, they will be built concurrently with the client's partner yard Astilleros Juliana in Gijon for delivery during the first and second quarters 2002. The vessels have maximum dredging depths of 79 ft. (24 m) and 85 ft. (26 m) and are equipped with five or seven bottom valves for dumping the spoil. Total installed power on both dredgers is 7,800 kW and 9,500 kW; sailing speeds stand at 13 knots.