The Netherlands: IHC Merwede Launches TSHD CHANG JIANG KOU 01

The naming and launch ceremony for the 12,000m³ trailing suction hopper dredger, CHANG JIANG KOU 01, took place on 10 September 2011 at the IHC Merwede shipyard in Kinderdijk, The Netherlands. IHC Merwede is building the impressive vessel for Yangtze Estuary Waterway Administration Bureau MOT, which is based in the People’s Republic of China.

The ceremony was performed by Mrs Tian Liying, spouse of His Excellency Mr Zhang Jun, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in The Netherlands.

The contract for the design, construction and delivery of two 12,000m³ trailing suction hopper dredgers (CHANG JIANG KOU 01 and CHANG JIANG KOU 02) was signed between Yangtze Estuary Waterway Administration Bureau MOT and IHC Dredgers in July 2008. The keel for the first dredger, CHANG JIANG KOU 01, was laid on 21 December 2010 and the vessel will be delivered in the second quarter of 2012.

The two ships are named after the mouth of the Yangtze River​, where they will carry out maintenance dredging jobs over a distance of 122km. The Yangtze River leads to the Port of Shanghai and represents half of its total capacity. Shanghai is the world’s busiest container port and is still growing rapidly in terms of its overall size and throughput.

The ships have been specifically designed with the high-current velocity and soil properties of the Yangtze River in mind. This is one of the reasons why the vessels will be equipped with the patented IHC Merwede Wild Dragon® draghead.

Additional information

Main features

Name: CHANG JIANG KOU 01

Type:  Trailing suction hopper dredger

Customer: Yangtze Estuary Waterway Administration

Bureau: MOT

Builder: IHC Dredgers B.V.

Length overall: 132m

Breadth: 27.30m

Depth: 10m

Draught: 8.37m

Dredging depth: 25m

Hopper capacity: 12,000m³

Suction pipe diameter: 2 x 1,000mm

Speed: 15 knots

Accommodation: 37 people

Company profile IHC Merwede

IHC Merwede is focussed on the continuous development of design and construction activities for the specialist maritime sector. It is the global market leader for efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment – with vast experience accumulated over decades – and a reliable supplier of custom-built ships and supplies for offshore construction.

IHC Merwede has in-house expertise for engineering and manufacturing innovative vessels and advanced equipment, as well as providing life-cycle support. Its integrated systematic approach has helped to develop optimum product performance and long-term business partnerships.

The company’s broad customer base includes dredging operators, oil and gas corporations, offshore contractors and government authorities.

IHC Merwede has over 3,000 employees based at various locations in The Netherlands, China, Croatia, France, India, the Middle East, Nigeria, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Technological innovation will remain the company’s underlying strength through its continuous investment in research and development. Moreover, it helps to safeguard a sustainable environment.