Trailing suction hopper dredger GATEWAY: a boost for the Boskalis fleet

 

Video
The launch of the GATEWAY

IHC Merwede and Boskalis signed a contract in November 2007 for the design, engineering and construction of two identical TSHDs. The assignment is unusual in that the ships are being built at the same time at two different IHC Merwede yards. The keel of the GATEWAY was laid on 4 February 2009. Completion is planned for the first quarter of 2010. Her sister ship is currently under construction at IHC Dredgers in Kinderdijk, The Netherlands, where she will be launched in mid-February 2010.

Download :

PDF version of this press release

High resolution: PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5

The 12,000m³ vessel was designed by IHC Merwede Offshore & Marine in close collaboration with Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. During the design phase, the emphasis was primarily on keeping the weight of the vessel relatively low, while maximising hopper capacity.

Perfect trim with double hopper
The GATEWAY has a single suction pipe with an underwater pump, allowing it to dredge to a depth of 62m. The ship has two hoppers, one in the bow and one in the stern, with the pump room in between.. This improves trim in shallow waters. In addition, the ship has a high pump capacity so that it can transport large volumes over a considerable distance. These specifications make the vessel suitable for a range of projects throughout the world, whether they involve large-scale land reclamation, beach replenishment or the construction of ports and waterways.

Profile Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V.
Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a leading global services provider operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure and maritime services sectors. We provide creative and innovative all-round solutions to infrastructural challenges in the maritime, coastal and delta regions of the world including the construction and maintenance of ports and waterways, land reclamation, coastal defense and riverbank protection. The company holds important home market positions in and outside of Europe and targets all market segments in the dredging industry. It also has positions in strategic partnerships in the Middle East (Archirodon) and in offshore services (Lamnalco). Boskalis has a versatile fleet of over 300 units and operates in over 50 countries across five continents. Including its share in partnerships, Boskalis has approximately 10,000 employees.

Profile IHC Merwede
IHC Merwede is focused on the continuous development of its design and construction activities for the specialised shipbuilding sector, in particular the dredging and offshore industries.
IHC Merwede is world market leader in the construction of specialist dredging equipment. IHC Merwede is also recognised as an outstanding builder of complex, custom-built vessels for offshore construction. The clients of IHC Merwede include major dredging companies, oil and gas exploration groups, offshore contractors and government authorities.
IHC Merwede has a staff of approximately 2,800 at its locations in the Netherlands. There are also branches in China, India, the Middle East, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Note for the editor, not for publication

For more information please contact:

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V.
Martijn L.D. Schuttevâer
Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
T +31 78 69 69 822 / +31 6 200 10 232
F +31 78 69 69 020
m.l.schuttevaer@spam-preventionspam-preventionboskalis.nl

IHC Merwede B.V.
Renée C.M. van Krimpen-Baudesson
T +31 184 411555
M +31 62 229 13 29
pr@spam-preventionspam-preventionihcmerwede.com

Additional information

Main features:
Name	GATEWAY
Type	trailing suction hopper dredger
Client	Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V.
Shipbuilder	IHC Merwede Offshore & Marine
Length overall	137.00m
Length between perpendiculars	125.00m
Beam	28.00m
Dept	13.50m
Hopper capacity	12,000m³
Diameter of suction pipes	1,200mm
Maximum dredging depth	62.00m
International draught	8.00m
Dredging draught	10.00m
Speed	15.40 knots
Accommodation	24 people

Trailing suction hopper dredger

A dredger used to remove and transport soil from water beds by dragging a long suction tube (2) with a draghead (1) over the bed, loosening the soil in front of the suction head. The material is stored in the hopper (3), which is then discharged through the bottom doors (4), pumped through a floating pipeline, or ‘rainbowed’ (i.e. discharged through the jet nozzle (5) to a reclamation area.

Specific activities in this field include the construction or deepening of harbours and waterways. The main advantages of this type of vessel are its relative immunity to weather and sea conditions and the ability to transport material over long distances. Furthermore, it can operate independently with hardly any interference to other shipping traffic.  

---