Royal IHC delivers key components for new Weeks dredge

Written by Nick Blenkey
Sister dredge Magdalen

New 6,540 cubic meter TSHD is a sister vessel to the Magdalen (above), delivered to Weeks by Eastern in 2017

The trailing suction hopper dredge (TSHD) R.B. Weeks, under construction for Weeks Marine Inc. at Eastern Shipbuilding’s Allanton shipyard in Panama City, Fla., will feature an extensive range of Royal IHC designed and built equipment.

The 6,540-cubic-meter dredge is a sister vessel to the Magdalen, delivered to Weeks by Eastern in 2017. The IHC scope of supply for both sisters includes the complete and highly efficient dredging installation, dredging automation and instrumentation, propulsion and main electrical system.

Over the past year the key components for the new dredge have been manufactured, assembled and shop tested in workshops all over the world. Part of the equipment package (35 sea containers and the suction inlet section) have already been sent to the U.S. in six separate shipments.

In close collaboration with Weeks, Royal IHC decided to consolidate the out of gauge equipment in one single shipment. This would limit the transport costs for barge and crane rental.

Lekstroom barge Christina on its way to Rotterdam.

On October 27, the IHC Dredge Equipment components were loaded on the Lekstroom Transport BV barge Christina and transported to the Waalhaven facilities of the Port of Rotterdam.

In the meantime, truckable equipment, supplied by IHC DBS and IHC Holland external suppliers were gathered in warehouses in Rotterdam area. Finally, on November 14, all the equipment was loaded on the M/V Marsgracht, operated by dry cargo specialist Spliethoff, and is currently in transit to Panama City, Fla.

TECHNICAL SERVICES

Royal IHC will also provide a number of technical services, including the assistance of its qualified engineers for inspection during installation of the delivered equipment at the shipyard, and support during start-up and commissioning of the dredge.

Those activities are scheduled for 2022 and early 2023. The delivery of the R.B. Weeks is scheduled for early 2023.

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