Dutch dredging specialist, Van Oord has launched a new crane vessel, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), in the Waalhaven in Rotterdam.
This is the first LNG-powered vessel in the Van Oord fleet.
“The vessel will contribute to the further modernisation of Van Oord’s fleet and therefore mark the start of a new generation of dredging vessels,” the company said in a statement.
The delivery of the vessel and its christening are scheduled for April 2018. It will be deployed to Netherlands-based projects executed by Van Oord’s subsidiary Paans Van Oord.
“Energy efficiency is one of the top items on our sustainability agenda. To reduce our carbon footprint, we are researching the use of alternative fuels, such as LNG and biofuel. With this investment, we will be gaining experience of LNG-powered vessels and the related benefits,” said Jaap de Jong , Staff Director of the Ship Management Department at Van Oord.