Boskalis to build methanol-ready dredger at Royal IHCBoskalis to build methanol-ready dredger at Royal IHC

The contract comes after an extensive design phase for a mega-sized hopper dredger, which will be delivered methanol ready. The dredger will be one of the largest in the Boskalis fleet.  

The newbuilding is expected to enter service in mid-2026, the vessel will have a hopper capacity of 31,000 cu metres. 

With a double suction pipe equipped with underwater pumps and two discharge pumps with a combined discharge capacity of 15,000 kW, Boskalis says the new trailing suction hopper dredger will be well suited to dredging material and discharge over long distances to a reclamation site.

The vessel is being prepared for the use of green methanol as an alternative fuel, with onboard methanol plants and storage tanks facilitating this transition. The dual fuel main engines, equipped with two-stage turbos, will be capable of running on conventional fuels as well as more sustainable alternatives like biodiesel and methanol.

The design process for the vessel stretched over more than three years according to the shipbuilder which notes there was “full co-creation worked on an optimal and future-proof design.”

The design also increases energy efficiency with elements including full diesel-electric installation and propulsion via Azipods