South Africa Port Orders IHC Dredge
The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in South Africa awarded IHC Merwede a contract for the design construction and delivery of a 5500 cubic meter trailing suction hopper dredge. The new dredge will join TNPA’s existing fleet of IHC Merwede-built vessels including the 4200-cubic-meter (about 5490-cubic-yard) trailing suction hopper dredge Isandlwana (ordered in 2008) and the grab hopper dredge Italeni (ordered in 2013).
The main features of the new dredge include an approximate 101.5 meter length (about 333 feet) 900mm (about 35.4-inch) trailing suction pipe diameter 30-meter (about 98-foot) digging depth approximately 6200 kW total power and an 11.9 knot speed.
As one of the five operating divisions of Transnet SOC Ltd. TNPA is responsible for the safe effective and efficient economic functioning of the South African national port system. It manages eight commercial ports along the country’s 2954-km (about 1835-mile) coastline in a landlord capacity with two main service categories: the provision of port infrastructure; and the provision of maritime services such as dredging and marine operations.
As part of the TNPA contract IHC will also execute a social development plan to help the local community. The initiative will use the company’s technology and knowledge base to aid the local workforce in skills development.
