Bakker Sliedrecht Contracted To Help Convert Dredge Schenge to Electric

Bakker Sliedrecht has been contracted to supply and install a shaft generator to generate electricity for the entire dredging installation of the trailing suction hopper dredge Schenge from the Goes, Netherlands based Faasse Groep.

Early this year, Faasse bought the freighter MS Mandeo to convert it into the Schenge. After its completion scheduled for 2020, the vessel will be deployed for sand extraction in the North Sea. The Schenge has a hopper capacity of approximately 2600 cubic meters (3400 cubic yards), divided over two holds so that it can carry two types of product.

For the electric drive of the dredging installation and jet pumps, a shaft generator with matching frequency drive from Bakker Sliedrechts has been added. The generator is connected to the existing main engine by a new PTO shaft. The vessel has an adjustable propeller. Because the main engine runs at a low load for propulsion during dredging, this power can be used for the electrical dredging installation. As a result, the trailing suction hopper dredge does not require any auxiliary diesel generators.

During the conversion of the ship, Bakker also oversees the installation on  board and the commissioning. The crew will be trained on the operation of the systems for the frequency drive.

While Bakker Sliedrecht has previously done this type of electrical installation, the Schenge is the first ship Faasse will have with this equipment.