Royal IHC has begun sea trials for the recently launched 6,000m³ trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) ARZANA.
The vessel is owned by National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) from Abu Dhabi and has been specially designed to operate in high ambient temperatures.
Over the next couple of days, IHC engineers will be performing seaborne trials of the ship’s systems prior to her delivery to the new owner.
The newbuild – launched in late September at IHC Kinderdijk yard – will be the the first custom-built trailing suction hopper dredger in the middle east. This tailor-made solution combines shallow draft and a large dredging depth with high manoeuvrability.
The project also includes a training package for NMDC’s crew, as well as a full program of life-cycle support from IHC. This features condition-based monitoring, which will safeguard a long and sustainable operation for the ARZANA.
Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for early 2018.