October 2009 saw the launching of the dredger, Leiv Eiriksson, from Spain’s Basque country. A sister ship to the record-breaking Cristóbal Colón that was launched in July 2008, the Leiv Eiriksson shares common specifications, featuring two MAN 16V48/60B medium-speed main engines and complete propulsion trains. The two vessels were ordered by Dredging and Maritime Management S.A., a subsidiary of leading dredging contractor, the Jan de Nul Group, based in Luxembourg. Construction took place at the La Naval shipyard in Sestao, Spain, part of Spanish shipbuilder Construcciones Navales del Norte.