DEME is further reinforcing its dredging fleet with the construction of a new 22,000 m³ trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD), which will strengthen its long-term competitiveness in capital and maintenance dredging, land reclamation, and offshore seabed preparation.
Designed to deliver a step-change in productivity, the new vessel will combine a structurally lower cost per dredged cubic meter and reduced greenhouse gas intensity compared to existing vessels in this segment. With this substantial investment, DEME is continuing to future-proof its fleet and respond to the growing demand for efficiency, sustainability, and technological innovation across its global dredging activities.
Fuel efficiency is one of the key differentiators in the dredging market, and this new vessel will incorporate the best available technologies. Furthermore, its design accommodates future fuel transitions toward (green) methanol and the integration of enhanced autonomous dredging features, ensuring long-term flexibility and future readiness. The TSHD will feature an advanced power plant and propulsion system, a hydrodynamically optimized hull, more efficient dredging technology, and a high level of automation. All of this will contribute to improved productivity, energy efficiency, and operational reliability, resulting in cost competitiveness.
With a hopper capacity of 22,000 m³, this new shallow-draft trailing suction hopper dredger will strengthen DEME’s position in the large-scale segment of the global dredging market. The vessel has been engineered to obtain optimal productivity and efficiency for capital dredging, land reclamation, and major port development projects, while focusing on operational excellence.
The vessel will be constructed under DEME’s supervision, with the main structure built in China and outfitting and final completion carried out in Singapore, in line with European maritime standards. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for 2029. With more than 50 dredging vessels, DEME operates one of the largest and most versatile dredging fleets in the industry.
Christopher Iwens, Managing Director Dredging at DEME, stated: “The introduction of this next-generation trailing suction hopper dredger represents a strategic investment in the advancement of our dredging fleet. By integrating material productivity gains with significantly improved fuel efficiency and ensuring adaptability for future fuels and automation, DEME is reinforcing its competitive position while preparing its operations for long-term sustainability.”