The Art of Dredging

Cristobal Colon and Leiv Eiriksson are identical "mega" trailer hopper dredgers, built in Sestao, Spain, for Jan de Nul Group of Companies.

Both dredgers are the eyecatching parts in a galloping newbuilding program of 27 capital dredgers, catapulting JDN to nr. 1 place in the global dredging market, in terms of capacity.

On this page, I plan to follow the lifecycle of "nr. 2", Leiv Eiriksson.

Ships like these break open all existing patterns of organisation, standards and knowhow. They will be a challenge to everyone involved in their operation and maintenance.

Artist impression of TSHD "Leiv Eiriksson", courtesy http://bowsprite.wordpress.com/

More data on the main engines (Press release M.A.N.)

On August, 27th 2008, in  Construcciones Navales del Norte, Sestao (near Bilbao), Spain, the keel of TSHD "Leiv Eiriksson" was layed, after launching identical twin sister "Cristobal Colon".

Launching of "Leiv Eiriksson" is planned in July 2009, and delivery spring 2010.

Sistership Cristobal Colon, meanwhile being outfitted:

http://www.sandandgravel.com/news/article.asp?v1=11221 

September 2008

Leiv Eirksson, first sections.

Fallpipe vessel "Simon Stevin" can be seen on the right.

 View with Google Earth, first section of LE bottom right, Simon Stevin top.

3 sections welded together.

Sections welded together, while more sections are prepared in the hall at the top of the pictures.

  Meanwhile; "Cristobal Colon" is underway:  http://desdegetxo.blogspot.com/2009_02_28_archive.html and fallpipe vessel "Simon Stevin" is launched: http://www.worldmaritimenews.com/article/Dredging/12713 and towed to the outfitting jetty.

 More pictures of this ultra dredger  on the slipway can be found here

 The week

Prior to launch: the shipyard mounted the complete suction pipes, in one dash; including both 300 tons underwaterpump units.

Last preps before launching the giant. The wharfies under the the propeller give an idea of the size of the beast.

Sept, 4th 2009 17h00: launch of ¨Leiv Eiriksson"

The newbuild team on the day of the launch and the seeds for the future crew.

Yes, it was a rainy day.

The ship is equipped with some of the largest dredging equipment ever made.

Extension for lower dredgepipe. Both sections have to be bolted together; to form an extension for one suction pipe.

 Draghead loaded in a ship, destined for the yard.

 Underwaterblock.

A moment to myself in the office of the shipyard..... 

"Simon Stevin" leaves the shipyard; with a good broadside view on "Leiv Eiriksson". 

Winter in Spain; snow, hail, cold rain. But the work on worlds´largest dredger continues day after day.

 The powerpack of the system: view from top deck into the main pumproom.

Outfitting Leiv Eiriksson late winter 2010. Starting up subsystems, checking components, painting, fuelling up, rigging, fastening, teambuilding, here in spring this ship will sail that river, to hit the waves, to boldly dredge, ... If the wind comes from seaward, you can already smell the sand.

Meanwhile, of all the dredgers in the world, of all the ports in the world, good old "Gerardus Mercator" arrived in Bilbao, can see my old ship at workd daily. 

Coincidence ?...

 Spring 2010: the big beast is out, sailing under the world famous bridge at Portugalete...

 More photo's of this event

Delivery drydock in Cadiz, Spain. Seatrials just finished, dredgetrials pending... More on the trials here.

 The final moment of the dredgetrials: "Leiv Eiriksson does Bilbao", rainbowing a full load of sand in the port, and doing just so, without a single hitch. The thing can dredge.