The Netherlands: DEME Launches New Cutter Suction Dredger at IHC Merwede Shipyard

Today, the DEME-group (Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering) launched the self-propelled cutter suction dredger, AMBIORIX, one of the most powerful and advanced cutter suction dredgers in the world. The launching ceremony took place at the IHC Merwede shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, The Netherlands. The actual launching was initiated by Mrs. Kristin Hermans – De Keunynck, spouse of Mr. Philip Hermans, General-Manager of Dredging International NV, an important operating company of the DEME Group.

The contract for construction of this impressive vessel was signed between DEME and IHC Dredgers in spring 2010, and the keel was laid on 23 December 2010. The vessel will be delivered in May 2012.

The AMBIORIX is able to dredge to a water depth of approximately 35 meters and will be one of the most powerful cutter suction dredgers in the world. This new vessel is suitable for heavy soil and rock. The AMBIORIX is equipped with two inboard dredge pumps and one submerged dredge pump on the cutter ladder. It also has a barge-loading system, which can load barges moored alongside the dredger. The flexible spud carrier includes a buffer system – and other equipment – which enables dredging during challenging weather conditions. The dredging process is entirely touch screen operated. The dredge, furthermore, is equipped with a ‘remote-view’ system, enabling the permanent online view of its dredging process at DEME’s head office in Zwijndrecht – the new “Houston” of dredging so to speak.

The vessel was named after Ambiorix, who was leader of the Gallic people called the Eburones. With a cunning plan he defeated a Roman legion and 5 cohorts (7.200 soldiers) of Julius Caesar in 54 BC. This feat made Ambiorix into a Belgian hero – an icon of a brave warrior. The name AMBIORIX fits perfectly with DEME’s tradition of naming vessels amongst others after historical or cultural national heroes, like ARTEVELDE, BREUGHEL and BREYDEL.

The new rock cutter dredge ‘Ambiorix’ is part of an important ongoing investment programme of the DEME Group. As recently as Friday 21st October the 11,000 m3 capacity trailing suction hopper dredger ‘Breughel’ was commissioned to DEME. The DP2 jack-up vessel ‘Neptune’ was launched on 23 September 2011. Earlier this year the megatrailer ‘Congo River’, the gravel trailer ‘Victor Horta’ and the 16,000 kW self-propelled cutter suction dredger ‘Al Jarraf’ were commissioned to the Group. Other equipment under construction includes the 16,000 kW self-propelled cutter suction dredger ‘Amazone’, the backhoe dredger ‘Peter the Great’ and the special-purpose jack-up vessel ‘Innovation’. The latter vessel is built on behalf of HGO InfraSea Solutions, a joint venture company consisting of DEME’s marine construction specialist GeoSea and the German construction group Hochtief.

Main features

Name – AMBIORIX

Type – Self-propelled cutter suction dredger

Customer – DEME NV

Builder – IHC Dredgers BV

Length overall – 123.80m

Breadth – 25.20m

Depth – 8.20m

Dredging depth – 35.00m

Total installed power – 26,100kW

Accommodation – 43 people

Special feature – Barge loading

About DEME

The Belgian dredging and environmental group DEME is a conglomerate of enterprises whose roots were established more than a century and a half ago. The group is specialised in deepening and maintenance dredging; port construction and port expansion; providing services to the oil and gas industry; wreckage clearance; deep sea operations; construction of offshore wind farms; and a wide range of environmental activities – from water treatment to sludge recycling and from soil remediation to the treatment of both lightly and heavily contaminated sedimentation. DEME operates a modern and multi-functional fleet of 90 large dredgers and some 200 auxiliary vessels. The company employs 4,000 people. The Group is active worldwide – in 2010 it reported a turnover of EUR 1.8 billion and was active in more than 50 countries on all continents. Its current investment programme in high-tech equipment will enable DEME to meet future challenges with an ultra-efficient and very modern fleet.

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Source: DEME-group, October 28, 2011