Launch special designed dredger for Suez Canal
On 15 May, the Suez Canal Authority and Royal IHC launched cutter suction dredger Mohab Mameesh. The launch took place at IHC’s shipyard in Krimpen aan de IJssel, the Netherlands.
Slender shape
The 29,190kW heavy-duty rock cutter suction dredger (CSD) has been specifically designed in close cooperation with Suez Canal Authority (SCA), and will be used to maintain and improve the Suez Canal.
The vessel, characterised by its long slender shape and high spud towers, will have an overall length of 147.4 metres and provide a maximum dredging depth of 35 metres. Equipped with one submerged – and two inboard – dredge pumps, the installed cutter power will be 4,800kW.
After the installation of on board equipment and a series of sea trials, the vessel will be delivered to Egypt.
Fleet modernisation
‘Launching the Mohab Mameesh dredger reflects the fruitful strategic cooperation between IHC and SCA, on which we count to modernise our fleet of dredgers with advanced units,' said the Suez Canal Authority’s Chairman and Managing Director Admiral Osama Rabie.
Rabie appreciated that IHC managed to build the dredger according to the agreed schedule and specifications. ‘This is despite the exceptional circumstances caused by the global outbreak of the coronavirus, and demonstrates the distinguished professionalism of IHC in delivering mega projects’, he added.
IHC’s CEO Gerben Eggink emphasized the result of strong partnership with SCA. ‘It resulted in the build of a powerful and impressive vessel that will enable it to execute work at a top level while opening up the full potential of the vessel.’
Second vessel
This CSD is one of two vessels currently under construction at IHC for SCA. The sister vessel, the 26th Of July, is expected to be launched in the autumn of 2020.
The contract to build the two dredgers includes an advanced simulator to train the technical crews to work on the dredgers, as well as a Beaver 45 dredger to be built in the Port Said shipyard.
