Van Oord, a Rotterdam based company specializing in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects, has ordered the construction of a new crane vessel.

This vessel, which will be named Werkendam, will be Van Oord’s first LNG-powered vessel. It will generally be deployed to Netherlands-based projects executed by subsidiary Paans Van Oord.

The Werkendam is being built by Neptune Shipyards BV in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands.

Jaap de Jong, Staff Director of the Ship Management Department at Van Oord, said: “Energy efficiency is one of the top items on our sustainability agenda. To reduce our carbon footprint, we are researching the use of alternative fuels, such as LNG and biofuel. With this investment, we will be gaining experience of LNG-powered vessels and the related benefits.”

After the construction, expected to take 12 months, the vessel will be able to run on LNG and gas oil as backup, the company said.

With a 38m³ tank on the aft deck, the Werkendam will be able to store enough LNG on board to sail and operate for fourteen days without bunkering LNG, Van Oord’s release said.

The vessel specifications

• Length – 68.40m;
• Breadth overall – 11.40m;
• Hopper capacity – 700 m³;
• Propulsion – 2 x 550kW;
• Bow thruster – 450kW;
• LNG-powered generator – 3 x 475kW;
• LNG tank – 1 x 38m³;
• Spud poles – 2 x, electric-powered;
• Crane – four-rope grab crane with lifting capacity of 20t at 20m and 25t at 16m.