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Boskalis announces new investments in dredging fleet
Royal Boskalis Westminster, a Papendrecht based company operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure and maritime services sectors, is making new capital investments in its fleet – centered around strengthening their position in the large and jumbo hopper segment.
Under the plan, Boskalis will modify and lengthen two large trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs) this year. The TSHD Prins der Nederlanden will be lengthened in the first half of 2022, followed by the TSHD Oranje. The process involves cutting the vessel in half and the insertion of a new 45 meter middle section, resulting in a capacity increase to 21,000 cubic meters. Boskalis already has previous experience in ‘extending’ hoppers with the
successful lengthening of the Queen of the Netherlands and the Fairway many years ago. During the lengthening, an overhaul and life extension program of each vessel is conducted. Also, Boskalis will order two new jumbo trailing suction hopper dredgers. Future generation fuels The vessels are being designed to be ready to operate on future generation fuels such as methanol and will be more energy efficient than comparable cur-
rent generation vessels. The dredgers are expected to have a hopper capacity of approximately 25,000 cubic meters with a specific emphasis on a shallow-draught. Most of these dredging vessels are co-designed by Boskalis in consultation with shipyards. The first new vessel is expected to be delivered in 2024. According to Boskalis, market developments are expected to increasingly require larger dredging vessels to op-
