The ‘Innovation in Dredger Design’ category, an important component of the inaugural DPC (Dredging and Port Construction) Innovation Awards, has this year been awarded to engineering company DEME and specialist marine shipyard Royal IHC after judges were captivated by their work on the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD).
Consisting of 13 categories, the DPC Innovation Awards look at the most innovative and forward-thinking projects that the dredging and port construction industry has to offer.
The Judges’ verdict: “Truly innovative design was needed to accommodate the tanks. While LNG is not new the integration into dredging vessels is. For the special requirements of the dredging industry, the innovation of LNG as engine fuel is a very big step forward in dredger design. This is a completely new concept and will have a huge impact on the industry.”
Alain Bernard, Director and CEO DEME Group: “The TSHD ‘Minerva’ and ‘Scheldt River’, currently under construction at Royal IHC, will be the first dredging vessels in the world that will be equipped with dual-fuel engines and capable of operating in full LNG mode. Both dredgers will have a Green Passport and a Clean Design notation and will comply with the strictest international emission requirements. We are very pleased with this award recognising both Royal IHC and DEME for the efforts the teams put into designing and building sustainable solutions.”
The 7,950m3 and 3,500m3 TSHDs have a unique propulsion and dredge pump drive arrangement that, combined with the LNG installation, will reduce fuel consumption and ensure extremely low emissions levels.
“IHC started to investigate the possibility of running a TSHD on LNG in 2012,” adds CEO Royal IHC, Dave Vander Heyde. “We are therefore delighted to be building the world’s first LNG-powered hoppers, and to be contributing to DEME’s ambition to remain at the forefront of the industry.”
Vander Heyde says Royal IHC will continue to develop and deliver sustainable solutions in order to further limit the environmental impact of customer’s vessels and equipment.
(Source: DEME)
Related articles:
