Recently completed vessels include a hopper dredger for a Chinese operator, a suction dredger for deployment in the UAE, and a support tender for a Russian port company. Construction meanwhile continues on new dredgers for a Russian passenger transport firm and two New Zealand port operators.
Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) has delivered a new trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) to China Communications Construction Company for use by its Shanghai Dredging division.
The owner has described Xinhaijing 1 (新海鲸1) as China's first extra-large self-propelled TSHD with distributed in-hold dredge pumps. Her two pumps occupy separate compartments forward and aft of the hopper.
ZPMC credits the pumps and optimised pipework with around 30 per cent greater dredging efficiency and more than 20 per cent lower carbon emissions compared to conventional vessels of the same type.
The dredger was designed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation's 708 Research Institute. She has an LOA of 180 metres and a hopper capacity of approximately 27,580 cubic metres.
UAE-based NMDC Group held a ceremony in Nantong, China, marking the inauguration of its new CSD, Abu Al Bakhoush, a heavy-duty, self-propelled cutter-suction dredger.
The vessel was built by Jiangsu Haixin Shipping Heavy Industry. It adds to a fleet of more than 170 vessels and, according to NMDC, will strengthen the group's ability to deliver projects of significant scale and complexity in international markets.
Abu Al Bakhoush measures 148 metres in length and can dredge to a maximum depth of 38 metres. Its cutter is rated at 7.8 MW, and total installed power is 30,040 kW.
NMDC said its design enables rock cutting and accurate excavation of trenches, navigation channels and harbours.
The Astrakhan Branch of Russian port operator Rosmorport formally welcomed the dredging support vessel Aliot into service on Tuesday, September 29.
Designed by Flotproekt and built by Stroyliderplus in Russia’s Astrakhan region, the Project FPW1 vessel is expected to begin work on the Volga-Caspian Sea Shipping Canal shortly. The series is intended to support Rosmorport’s Project FPDG3 dredgers.
The Project FPW1 vessels will provide towing, pushing, buoy handling, and anchor handling services. The support craft can also carry cargo and personnel as well as deliver fuel and water to other vessels.
A crane on Aliot has a lifting capacity of 2.5 tonnes at an outreach of 10.5 metres. It will be used for buoy and anchor handling during dredging operations.
Vietnam’s 189 Shipyard has launched a new trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) slated for Port Otago and Napier Port in New Zealand.
The nearly 60-metre Kapuka is in her final fit-out stage, with tests and commissioning taking place alongside the quay, and delivery scheduled for later this year.
Napier Port previously said it expects the TSHD to reach Port Chalmers in December following a 32- to 38-day voyage from Vietnam.
The two New Zealand ports formed a joint venture in December 2024 to purchase the NZ$36 million (US$20 million) dredger.
Stroyliderplus has started construction in Astrakhan of a Project FPDR1 non-self-propelled multi-bucket hopper dredger for Vodohod Passenger Port. The project was announced on Monday, September 14.
The vessel is designed to dredge heavy cohesive and non-cohesive soils in categories I–V. Flotproekt, the design bureau within the Stroyliderplus group, developed the FPDR1 project.
The dredger will have an overall length of 51.5 metres and a beam of 12.2 metres. Its midship side height will be 3.0 metres.
Published specifications list two 350-kilowatt engine units and accommodation for 28 people. The vessel will carry enough fuel for 10 days of operation.
The design carries the Russian Classification Register notation O2,0 (ice 10) A. The vessel’s name and planned delivery date have not been published.