Posted on January 23, 2019
ROTTERDAM: Dutch dredging company Van der Kamp has put into service a unique LNG-powered ‘Ecodelta’ dredger at the Port of Rotterdam.
The vessel is designed as a trailing suction hopper with two main objectives: recover valuable material from the seabed and create a greater depth of water. The 7,560 GT vessel has a length of 134.10 metres, a molded width of 21.40 metres, a dredging draught of 7,770 metres, a hopper volume of 5,900 cubic metres, a dredging depth below baseline of 35 metres.
Ecodelta is already meeting the IMO emission regulations that come in force in 2020. The usage of LNG reduces CO2 emissions up to 20 percent, NOx up to 85 percent and Sulfur Oxide is reduced to zero.
The ship has been designed by Conoship International and was built by the Frisian shipyard Barkmeijer.
Van der Kamp has signed a contract with the Port of Rotterdam Authority to provide dredging maintenance until 2023. The company says the goal is to become the most sustainable port by replacing fuel oil with LNG for shipping. Another advantage of LNG is cost-efficiency. The Ecodelta LNG tank of approximately 300 cubic metres can last two weeks.
Source: PCG
