Trailing suction hopper dredger extension

In 1999, the Dutch dredging contractor Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. took delivery of the trailing suction hopper dredger ’Queen of The Netherlands’. Built by Verolme Shipyard Heusden, she belongs to world’s largest trailing suction dredgers. The vessel underwent an extensive modification which resulted in an enlargement of the dredger’s hopper capacity with more than 50 percent and improved deep-water dredging capabilities.

Modifications

To achieve the new dimensions and capacities, the dredger was rebuilt as follows:

•  inserting midship section of about 54 metres
•  increase of main deck depth with approx. 4 metres
•  addition of bulbous bow
•  addition of a ducktail of about 5 metres
•  replacement of bow thruster
•  modification of hopper loading and discharge system
•  removal and replacement of trailing suction suction pipes, complete with
  gantries and winches

The lengthening section was prefabricated and fully equipped with bottom doors, hydraulic cylinders and piping in Thailand. On completion the section was towed to a shipyard in Singapore. Before arrival of the original ’Queen of The Netherlands’, all prefabrication and preparations were finalized. The vessel was then brought into dry-dock and was cut
into two pieces. Next the fore ship was floated out and the aft ship remained in the dry-dock. Then the lengthening section and the fore ship were floated back sequentially. After the dock was dry again and dock blocks were settled, both sections were skidded to the right position, aligned and welded to the aft ship. In the meantime deck sections, other steel sections and additional equipment were fitted. The vessel was put back into service after a series of extensive tests.

Vuyk scope of work

In close cooperation with the owners, Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam carried out a major part of the total engineering package required for the works in Thailand and Singapore.