(With videos) Royal IHC has launched DEME’s 3500 m3 LNG-powered trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Minerva, a world first.
The ceremony took place on 3 December at Royal IHC's shipyard in Kinderdijk, the Netherlands. The official name giving and christening ceremony will take place in the spring of 2017 in Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Green and Clean
Royal IHC has been researching the integration of LNG into dredging vessels since 2012. The Minerva is both a world first and the first of two LNG-powered TSHDs for DEME. The dual-fuel (diesel and LNG) dredger has a ‘Green Passport’ and a ‘Clean Design’ notation, complying and exceeding with the strictest international emission requirements.
The vessel's availability has also been increased since it meets the requirements for the extended dry-docking system. Ships under this special programme get a maximum dry-dock interval of 7.5 years (instead of 5 years) by replacing certain dry-dockings with in-water surveys.
Award-winning Dredger Design
IHC and DEME have already been recognised for their LNG dredger design. On 10 November, both companies were awarded a DPC Innovation Award for the new concept.
Vessel Particulars
- Name: Minerva
- Type: Trailing suction hopper dredger
- Owner: DEME
- Shipyard: Royal IHC
- Length overall: 83.5 m
- Breadth: 18 m
- Depth: 6.8 m
- Design draught: 5.0 m
- Hopper capacity: 3500 m3
- Dredging depth: 30 m
- Speed: 12 knots
- Accommodation: 14 people
Below two videos of the launch, one from inside the building dock and one from across the river, as well as an aerial view of the Minerva after the launch.
