DC Brugge - Conversion

The conversion to trailing suction hopper dredger DC Brugge was delivered to Shipyard Gebr. Kooiman B.V. in Zwijndrecht. DC Brugge is the result of close cooperation between Group de Cloedt and Kooiman Marine Group. With the DC Brugge, Group de Cloedt is updating its fleet of dredgers.

The vessel, with a hopper volume of 2,450 m3, replaces the 43-year-old Interballast 1 (1,680 m3) and will be deployed in the granulate dredger fleet of Group De Cloedt. The sailing area will mainly be the Western Scheldt and the Belgian and Dutch coasts. The vessel will be used to load inland hopper barges and stock the depots of Group de Cloedt. The basis of the DC Brugge is the body of the former coaster DC Eems of Group de Cloedt.

In close cooperation with Group de Cloedt, Kooiman Marine Group was responsible for all the engineering and modification of the vessel. The joinery and electrical installation were also designed and supplied by Kooiman Marine Group. The two hoppers can be loaded and unloaded separately, enabling two different types of sand to be transported. The dredger installation is fitted with a height-adjustable screener so that different sand qualities can be carefully sorted.

The vessel can unload its cargo in three ways, dry, wet and by dumping. The vessel is equipped with a grab discharger installation. Using a hydraulic crane with grab, the cargo can be unloaded via a conveyor belt. This conveyor belt has a reach of around 30 metres outside the vessel. With this installation, the vessel can unload its cargo independently. For wet cargo, e.g. for loading inland hopper barges, the vessel is equipped with a loading spout. The vessel has hatches in the bottom which allow the cargo to be dumped using a jet water system.

The use of two built-in telescopic spud poles means that no mooring buoys are required. In combination with the unloading installation, the vessel can independently unload in very many places.

The old accommodation has been replaced by a brand-new wheelhouse. This new accommodation can house an eight-man crew. The new bridge is equipped with the latest nautical technology and offers an excellent view of the whole vessel.

The combination of the practical knowledge of Group de Cloedt and the shipbuilding knowledge of Kooiman Marine Group has produced a very complete dredger with smart solutions. By commissioning the DC Brugge, Group de Cloedt is responding to the rising demand for sand from the sea and is strengthening its position in the region.

SHIP TYPE:

2450 m3 trailing suction hopper dredger

MAIN DIMENSIONS:

• Length o.a. 89,99 m
• Beam (mld) 15,00 m
• Depth 8,20 m
• Dredging draught 30,00 m

PROPULSION SYSTEM:

• Main engines: ABC 8DCZ-1000-166-A 1766 kW @ 1000 rpm
• Bow thruster: Van Wijk bow thruster, Mitsubishi 360 kW @ 1840 rpm
• Generator: 2 x SisuDiesel 49.492 CTAG-4V 116kW @ 1500 rpm

AUXILIARY SYSTEMS:

• Sand pump engine: Damen BP6055LD 600mm, Mitsubishi S12A2 701 kW @1940 rpm
• Jet pump engine: Nijhuis Venus1-400.650Z, Mitsubishi 605 kW @ 1800 rpm
• Generator sets pump / engine room bow: John Deere 6068AFM85 120 kVA

AUXILIARY DEVICES:

• Accommodation: 8 cabins
• Bow coupling and pipe to pump ships full alongside the vessel
• Bottom doors
• Conveyer belt of 30 meters
• Spud poles length of 14 meters