ABS to Class U.S. Largest Hopper Dredge

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) will class the Frederick Paup, the largest self-propelled U.S. Hopper Dredge ever ordered.

As previously reported, the giant hopper dredge was ordered by Manson Construction last month from Keppel AmFELS to build the hopper dredge.

The 420-foot-long dredge, which will be U.S. flagged, will be built in Brownsville, Texas. It is expected to be fully operational by 2023.

Arinjit Roy, ABS Vice President, North America Regional Business Development said: "ABS is highly experienced at supporting delivery of both Jones Act vessels and complex, specialist maritime projects, such as this,” said “We are proud to work with Manson and Keppel AmFELS to facilitate the delivery of this landmark vessel to ABS class.”

“This dredge is the culmination of years of work by our dedicated team, and I am honored to bear its name,” remarked the dredge’s namesake, Manson’s chairman of the board, Frederick Paup. “We are proud that it will be U.S. built, U.S. flagged, and U.S. crewed and will support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ mission of keeping the marine transportation highway open throughout the United States.”

Mohamed Sahlan Bin Salleh, president of Keppel AmFELS, said: “We are pleased to be selected by Manson Construction Co. to build the largest self-propelled U.S. hopper dredger. It highlights the capabilities of our shipyard to build an array of vessels for the Jones Act market. This project will be supported by our highly-skilled local workforce and suppliers across the U.S., including ABS, with whom we have a long-standing relationship.”

The 15,000 cubic yard hopper dredge — designed in collaboration with Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc. of Seattle — has a length of 420 feet, breadth of 81 feet, and a draft of 28.5 feet. It will be highly automated with a diesel-electric power system.