IHC launches DEME’s LNG-powered dredger

Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC on Saturday held a launching ceremony for Belgian DEME’s new vessel named Spartacus, claimed to be the world’s largest and the first LNG-powered cutter suction dredger.

The ceremony took place at IHC’s shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands.

The 44,180kW cutter suction dredger has four main engines that can run on LNG, marine diesel oil (MDO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO). The two auxiliary engines also incorporate dual-fuel technology.

The LNG-powered vessel is expected to be delivered to the owner in the summer of 2019.

Besides Spartacus, IHC has been previously contracted by DEME to build LNG-powered trailing suction hopper dredgers, Minerva and Scheldt River, and LNG-ready Bonny River.