BV awards AIP for Dutch-designed, hydrogen-fuelled TSHD

Bureau Veritas has granted Netherlands-based Royal IHC an approval in principle (AIP) for the design of a hydrogen-fuelled trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD).

Royal IHC said the AIP means that the proposed design of the vessel, encompassing its features and specifications, has been deemed acceptable in this early stage and that the hydrogen system has been safely integrated.

The exploration phase began at the beginning of 2019 with the aim of developing a vessel that can be operational in 2024. It is designed for maintenance dredging works on the Dutch coastline.

Royal IHC added that a minimal amount of CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter will be released only during the construction of the vessel and in producing green hydrogen.

In addition, many design features on the hopper will contribute to low energy consumption. These will include an electric drive train and energy recovery systems.

The dredger was designed jointly by Royal IHC and the Rijkswaterstaat, the executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.