After completion and sea trials, the 8000-cubic-metre trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Ghasha has left the Netherlands to start its first project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Royal IHC built the vessel for National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) from Abu Dhabi.
The Ghasha is based on the design of the 6000-cubic-metre TSHD Arzana, which was also delivered by IHC in 2018. The vessel is equipped with the latest available software for efficient dredging, such as DP/DT capability, a forward-looking survey system, and can be monitored on the NMDC Dredge Fleet Monitoring System mobile phone app during operations.
The construction phase was affected by the social distancing required due to Covid-19, and the teams adopted extraordinary safety precautions and innovations in production as a result.
