EXCLUSIVE: Boskalis’ new mega TSHD hits the water

Boskalis’ new mega hopper Seaway was successfully launched at Royal IHC today.

The new dredger will be more than just a vessel; it is the largest newbuild in the Boskalis’ history, and above all, the largest trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) ever built at a Dutch shipyard.

The giant TSHD will have a hopper capacity of 31,000 cubic meters, making it not only one of the largest trailing suction hopper dredgers in the world but also one of the most modern, thanks in part to its energy-efficient design.

Also, thanks to the application of various technological innovations – such as a fully diesel-electric system, an Azipod™ propulsion, and an advanced automation system – the vessel will have significantly lower fuel consumption than older vessels of comparable size. The vessel is also being prepared for the use of (green) methanol as an alternative fuel.

According to Boskalis, the dual-fuel main engines are equipped with two stage turbochargers and can be powered by both conventional fuels and more sustainable alternatives such as biodiesel and methanol, resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

The TSHD is equipped with two suction pipes with a submersible pump and two delivery pumps with a combined delivery capacity of 15,000 kW. This enables the vessel to dredge sand and pump it over long distances to a reclamation area.