Royal IHC to Build Four New Vessels for DEME

The Netherlands based Royal IHC said it has secured a contract from Belgium-based DEME for the design and build of four new vessels.

The order consists of a copy of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered 8,400m3 trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Scheldt River delivered in 2017, as well as a 2,300m3 TSHD and two 3,500m3 split barges.

The compact design of the 2,300m3 TSHD is characterized by a small draught and can be deployed for projects in shallow water worldwide, the builder said.

The two split barges are based on the IHC standard split trail 3,500 design. According to Royal IHC, the ease and speed of disposal makes them attractive for use in combination with backhoe dredgers, grab hopper dredgers and CSDs such as the Spartacus, which is currently being built by IHC in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands.

Dave Vander Heyde, CEO of Royal IHC, said, “IHC is proud that DEME has ordered four highly competitive new vessels. With this order, the number of trailing suction hopper dredgers in the fleet of DEME, designed and built by IHC, adds up to 21.”

“This order once again signifies our ongoing commitment to operate the most modern, versatile and environmental friendly fleet in the industry,” said Alain Bernard, CEO and Director of DEME. “With our multi-year fleet investment program, we are driving new levels of performance, further enhancing the capacity of our fleet, and providing our clients with flexible solutions for dredging and reclamation projects in various environments.”