ACP Awards Backhoe Contract to IHC

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced on April 27 that it had awarded a $43 million contract to IHC Engineering Business Ltd. a part of IHC Merwede Group for the design and construction of a new backhoe dredge.

The dredge will be delivered in December 2012.

IHC Engineering Business Ltd. will be responsible for the design construction tests and delivery of the hydraulic backhoe dredge. The dredge powered by diesel engines will have the capacity to dredge to a depth of 18 meters (59 feet) underwater with a bucket of at least 11 cubic meters (14 cubic yards).

Five other companies participated in the public international bid which was open from September 2 2010 to March 28 2011: Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.; De Donge Shipbuilding; Heli Steelstrong LLC; Qinhuangdao China Harbour Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd. and Holland Shipyards BV.

Earlier this month the ACP welcomed the Quibian I – a cutter-suction dredge also built by IHC Beaver Dredgers as part of a contract awarded in 2008. The ACP Dredging Division also includes the dredges Mindi and Rialto M. Christensen and drill barges Baru and Thor.