Port Otago and partner Napier Port have signed a contract for the delivery of a 60-metre, 1,000m3-capacity trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD), after forming a joint venture to acquire a suitable vessel.
Twin azimuth thrusters and a bow thruster have been specified to ensure high levels of maneuverability in the long entrance to Port Chalmers and Dunedin.
The TSHD, to be built at Shipyard 189 in Vietnam, will arrive in New Zealand with a Green Passport under the IMO rules.
“We aim to enhance our dredging operations, going beyond compliance in environmental standards and modernising our fleet through this collaboration," said said Port Otago CEO Kevin Winders.
"The safety and efficiency of our operations in the ports are crucial in enabling the maritime sector in our region and the new dredge will ensure the channel remains safe for the next generation."
The new TSHD will replace the long-serving New Era when she arrives in early 2027.