• Blohm+Voss delivered the hopper dredger, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, to the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration of Germany on schedule today
• The 133-meter-long hopper dredger is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system with two bow thrusters and is designed for dredging navigation channels
• The special ship, which will be stationed in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, is operated by the Waterways and Shipping Office Weser-Jade-North Sea
“We are delighted to be handing over a ship to our customer on schedule today, that meets the highest technical standards for efficient and resource-saving suction dredging work. As a team, we have successfully mastered all the challenges associated with taking on such a technically demanding project. I am grateful and proud of the outstanding achievements of all our employees,” said Dr Nils Moser, Managing Director of Blohm+Voss. The Hamburg NVL shipyard Blohm+Voss took over the new construction project in 2022 from the former Sietas shipyard at the customer’s request. “We are particularly grateful for the excellent and constructive cooperation with the owner’s representative and the mechanical engineering unit of the Waterways and Shipping Authority Kiel Canal.”
With a loading capacity of 7,500 cubic meters, the hopper dredger has an enormous transport capacity and, thanks to its modern Z-drive system (the Z refers to the shape of the drive train) can rotate 360 degrees on the spot. The five main engines are equipped with special DC power management, which allows the crew to switch engines according to consumption. This ensures that the ship always operates at its optimum operating point.
Future areas of operation include the Elbe, Jade, and Weser rivers.