The trailer suction hopper dredger (TSHD) DC Brugge was delivered last week to Scheepswerf Gebr. Kooiman B.V. in Zwijndrecht.
According to the Kooiman’s latest announcement, the new TSHD is the result of close cooperation between Group de Cloedt and Kooiman Marine Group. The vessel, with a hopper volume of 2.450 m³, is set to replace the 43-year-old Interballast 1.
The company said that the sailing area will include the Western Scheldt and the Belgian and Dutch coasts. The vessel will be used to load inland hopper barges and stock the depots of Group de Cloedt.
In close cooperation with Group de Cloedt, Kooiman Marine Group was responsible for all the engineering and modification of the vessel. The joinery and electrical installation were also designed and supplied by Kooiman Marine Group.
The two hoppers can be loaded and unloaded separately, enabling two different types of sand to be transported. The dredger installation is fitted with a height-adjustable screener so that different sand qualities can be carefully sorted.
The vessel can unload its cargo in three ways, dry, wet and by dumping.
The vessel is equipped with a grab discharger installation. Using a hydraulic crane with grab, the cargo can be unloaded via a conveyor belt. This conveyor belt has a reach of around 30 meters outside the vessel. With this installation, the vessel can unload its cargo independently.
For wet cargo, e.g. for loading inland hopper barges, the vessel is equipped with a loading spout. The vessel has hatches in the bottom which allow the cargo to be dumped using a jet water system.
According to the official announcement, the use of two built-in telescopic spud poles means that no mooring buoys are required. In combination with the unloading installation, the vessel can independently unload in very many places.
The old accommodation has been replaced by a brand-new wheelhouse. This new accommodation can house an eight-man crew.