Upgrade underway on Den Herder hopper dredger

Dutch shipbuilder the Kooiman Marine Group has begun work to upgrade the existing capacity of a trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) owned by local marine projects company Den Herder Seaworks.

The work will primarily involve increasing the length of the TSHD Swalinge from its current 82.2 metres to 119.2 metres.

Swalinge was built as a coaster in 1977. It was rebuilt into a TSHD after being purchased by Den Herder in 1996.