Trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) MAGDALEN was launched on 31 March 2017. The landmark event took place at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s (ESG) Allanton facility in Panama City, USA.
The TSHD is being constructed for Weeks Marine Inc. (Weeks), the second largest dredging contractor in the USA, and christened by Mrs. Helen McLaughlin. She is the niece of Magdalen Weeks, who is, in turn, the mother of Rich Weeks – founder and present CEO of Weeks.
At the launch ceremony, ESG’s CEO Mr. Brian D’Isernia spoke about how the dredger had been designed by IHC, ‘the world leader in dredge building and design’.
Enhancing efficiency
IHC received the contract for the design and engineering of the 6,540m3 TSHD and the supply of key components, such as the principal electrical and dredging systems. The vessel is equipped with IHC’s dynamic positioning/ dynamic tracking system, and the economic pump control functionality, which will both further enhance its efficiency. The MAGDALEN has been specifically designed for beach nourishment and capital dredging works and is highly automated.
It is expected to have a significant impact when it enters the US dredging market, and has already been earmarked for a project at the end of this year.
Source: Royal IHS