Launch of Chinese-made IHC 8527MP

Netherlands-based IHC Merwede is launching the company's first Chinese-made cutter suction dredger, the IHC 8527MP at Marintec China 2009. This show is currently taking place in Shanghai until December 4, 2009.

This special design for the Chinese market is a successor to IHC Merwede's IHC 7025MP design, which was also specifically designed for the Chinese market.

"These two dredgers are the products of our partnership with Dalian Liaonan Shipyard," said IHC Merwede Area Manager for China and After-Sales Director Walter Hoebée.

Since the launch of the IHC 7025MP, 22 units have been sold, of which 19 have been delivered.

"The IHC 7025MP is the only dredger that is entirely made for the China market. It has more accommodation to facilitate 24-hour working, a deeper dredging capacity and it has the power to discharge much further away. Since its launch, it has been clear that there was also demand for a dredger in a higher power range, hence the creation of the larger, IHC 8527MP," said Mr Hoebée.

Launch of new training simulators

As well as the new dredger, IHC Merwede is also announcing the launch of two training simulators for the IHC 7025MP and IHC 8527MP. The simulators will be based in Tianjin.

"As soon as we started with the special China dredger series in 2007, it was clear that there was enormous demand for education and training. IHC Merwede now offers a full training programme and we are working on developing the courses so that they lead to a fully-certified qualification," said Mr Hoebée.