Van Oord has decided to use the option of ordering a third trailing suction hopper dredger capable of operating on LNG at Keppel FELS Limited. The vessel is similar to the two vessels that Van Oord ordered in May 2018. Sustainable operations and advanced automation are key factors in the design.
Each of the vessels has a hopper capacity of approximately 10,500 cubic metres and measures 138 metres in length and 28 metres across the beam. They will each be equipped with a suction pipe with submerged e-driven dredge pump, two shore discharge dredge pumps, five bottom doors, and a total installed power of 14,500 kW. They will have accommodation for 22 persons. In addition, the automated systems will be more advanced than even before. Integrated vessel data will be processed by a shore support centre.
Tier III and LNG
This investment is part of a broader fleet renewal programme in the Dredging business unit. Van Oord currently operates over twenty trailing suction hopper dredgers with a capacity from 1000 up to 38,000 cubic metres. The new vessels were designed in-house in cooperation with DEKC Maritime from the Netherlands and are to replace existing vessels to make Van Oord's fleet more energy efficient.
The design includes several features that will reduce fuel consumption, and consequently carbon emissions. For starters, the hoppers qualify as Tier III vessels (IMO emission standards) and will be fitted with dual fuel engines allowing them to operate on LNG. The new vessels will also obtain a Green Passport and Clean Ship Notation. Additionally, the climate control system on board will utilise the vessel’s existing cooling and heating sources to recycle energy as efficiently as possible.
