NMDC takes delivery of new dredger from Royal IHC
Abu Dhabi’s National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) has taken delivery of a new dredger, Ghasha, from Royal IHC (IHC) in the Netherlands. Following successful sea trials, the 8,000m3 trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) is now heading for the United Arab Emirates where it will begin its first project.
The Ghasha is based on the design of the 6,000m3 TSHD, Arzana, which was build by IHC and delivered in 2018. The vessels are fitted with the latest dredging software, dynamic positioning, and dynamic tracking. They also have a forward-looking survey system and can be monitored on NMDC’s Dredge Fleet Monitoring System mobile phone app during operation.
Construction of the Ghasha was affected by the pandemic and necessary social distancing. However, the teams adopted extraordinary safety precautions and innovations in production as a result. “The vessel now leaves behind the proud building and commissioning teams of NMDC and IHC, who coped admirably with the unexpected and heavy impact of the pandemic,” IHC said.
