On 10 November, Royal IHC successfully launched the SPARTACUS, a 44,180kW self-propelled cutter suction dredger (CSD) designed and built for DEME (DEME is leader in the fields of dredging, marine engineering and environmental remediation). The ceremony took place at IHC’s shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands. It was performed by Mrs Fabienne Ackermans, the spouse of Mr Luc Bertrand (chairman of the Board of Directors of Ackermans & van Haaren, owner of DEME).
The SPARTACUS is the world’s largest CSD and the first to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The four main engines can run on LNG, marine diesel oil (MDO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO). The two auxiliary engines also incorporate dual-fuel technology. As the first LNG-powered CSD in the world, the SPARTACUS sets a new benchmark in the industry.
“DEME’s drive to innovate and focus on sustainability is reflected in the company’s multi-year fleet investment programme,” says Director and CEO of DEME Alain Bernard. “The new additions to the fleet are part of our continuous efforts to further increase efficiency, both in terms of production and environmental performance. As the SPARTACUS will soon be the world’s largest and most powerful LNG-powered CSD in operation, DEME will again have set a new standard in the market.”
The SPARTACUS has already received its first nomination for an award with DEME being shortlisted in the ‘dredger of the year’ category by the Dredging and Port Construction Awards. The winner will be announced on 20 November 2018.
Source: Royal IHC