Trailing suction hopper dredgers

Integrated dredging solutions

More than 100 years ago, IHC Merwede’s Kinderdijk shipyard built the first trailing suction hopper dredger. Since then, the group has developed many highly efficient, innovative and cost-effective, self-propelled custom-built trailing suction hopper dredgers for its broad customer base. They are designed to work in extreme conditions, at challenging depths and to handle various types of soil.

One of the main advantages of these vessels is that the major equipment is designed, engineered and manufactured by IHC Merwede. Supplying integrated dredging solutions, consisting of innovative vessels, advanced equipment and life-cycle support, is one of the company’s unique selling points. These deliver a range of key benefits, including higher productivity, reduced operating costs and minimal downtime, all of which contribute to maximising the return on investment.

Innovative vessels

IHC Merwede takes great pride in manufacturing unique and innovative vessels for its international customer base. There are many examples of custom-built ships, including: the VOX MÁXIMA, one of the largest vessels of its kind built in The Netherlands; the WILLEM VAN ORANJE, distinguished by its integrated twin hopper; the BREUGHEL, capable of being used in conditions where other similar ships would be restricted; and the ISANDLWANA, designed to perform maintenance dredging work in ports.

In addition, IHC Merwede also manufactures standard trailing suction hopper dredgers, such as the IHC Beagle. It can be built overseas with a modular design and a range of cost-effective features. The capability of offering its customers a wide range of dredging vessels is clearly one of the reasons why IHC Merwede is the global market leader within the dredging industry.

These vessels are built according to the specific requirements of individual customers and to meet the challenges of particular projects. They can be used to: construct harbours, access and maintain deep channels, enable offshore pipeline trenching, extract sand from the seabed to reconstruct shorelines and beaches and create new islands.

Advanced equipment

Many of the world’s major dredging corporations rely on IHC Merwede’s advanced equipment to move material from the riverbed or ocean floor and transport it to their vessels.

These IHC Merwede products are designed and built to meet the demands of the dredging world and include dredging equipment that is directly related to the excavation work or the hydraulic transportation of the material required.