IHC Merwede has successfully launched the 500m3 grab hopper dredger, DOHUK, and the 3,500m3 trailing suction hopper dredger, KARBALA, in two ceremonies on 25 July 2012 at the company's shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands. The DOHUK was launched early in the morning, followed later by the ceremony for the KARBALA, the Company press release said.
The vessels were named by breaking a jar of yoghurt over the bow. They are being built for Toyota Tsusho Corporation, although the operator will be the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI). Both ceremonies were performed by Mr Hussain Mohammed Abdullah, GCPI's Project Director.
The contract for the design, construction and delivery of both vessels was signed between Toyota Tsusho Corporation and IHC Dredgers on 21 October 2010. The keel of the trailing suction hopper dredger was laid on 10 January 2012 and of the grab hopper dredger on 9 March 2012. Both vessels will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The MIONDO is a custom-built IHC Beaver® with a capacity of 4,836kW and it is capable of dredging a wide range of materials. The vessel is equipped with two Cutter Special® dredge pumps, which are specially designed with a large sphere passage for cutter suction dredging operations. The anchor boom allows it to operate in remote areas with limited support equipment.
IHC Merwede is the global market leader for efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment and a supplier of custom-built ships and supplies for offshore construction. The company’s broad customer base includes dredging operators, oil and gas corporations, offshore contractors and government authorities.
IHC Merwede has over 3,000 employees based at various locations in The Netherlands, Brazil, China, Croatia, France, India, Malaysia, the Middle East, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.