The cutter suction dredger (CSD) Alyarmouk has been launched at Royal IHC’s shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, the Netherlands. The custom-built vessel is a 3557-kW CSD and a further developed copy of the dredger Jarash, which the shipbuilder delivered to Arab Potash Company in 2018.
The Alyarmouk is the last of three contracts signed between Arab Potash Company (APC) and IHC earlier this year. The first was for an IHC Beaver 65, a 2819-kW dismountable CSD that was modified in order to work efficiently in the Dead Sea. The second contract was a three-year maintenance deal for the IHC dredgers Jarash and Mutah, with the purpose of achieving and maintaining an agreed level of uptime. APC will use the Alyarmouk at its site in Jordan, where it will cut and remove crystallised salt under harsh conditions.
‘We are delighted to have reached the next phase in completing this so-called “salt mushroom dredger” for APC,’ says IHC’s CEO Gerben Eggink. ‘It’s a major milestone that confirms the strong and successful relationship between our two companies, and we hope to continue this cooperation. I wish the Alyarmouk and all those who will sail on the vessel, safe and prosperous operations.’
After the launch, which took place on 16 December, the Alyarmouk will be commissioned and tested. Once concluded, the vessel will be lifted out of the water, demounted and transported to Jordan. When the parts arrive in Jordan, the Alyarmouk will be reassembled and ready to execute its first assignment, supported by IHC Jordan local office.
