Giant dredger sets sail for KZN
Named Ilembe after King Shaka Zulu, the R889-million vessel was launched on Saturday at the shipyard of manufacturer IHC Merwede in Rotterdam.
AFRICA’S largest and most powerful dredger recently built in the Netherlands, will start work in Richards Bay and Durban at the beginning of next year.
Named Ilembe after King Shaka Zulu, the R889-million vessel was launched on Saturday at the shipyard of manufacturer IHC Merwede in Rotterdam.
Dredger masters will be trained to operate the 5 500m3 trailing suction hopper, which was designed to achieve low maintenance costs and substantially improve productivity by running for 24 hours instead of the current 12 hours.
Ilembe is fitted with high-tech systems, including a fully integrated dredging control system, a programmable logic controller (PLC) engine system, an alarm monitoring system and real time digital tank soundings.
It also has a customised grab position monitoring system with an accuracy of 2cm – much higher than South Africa’s current dredgers.
Speaking at the launch, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Chief Executive, Richard Valihu, said this new addition to the fleet will play a vital role in facilitating economic growth by ensuring port entrance channels, basins and berths are deep enough and well maintained.
‘The majority of this work can only be done by having two reliable trailing suction hopper dredgers in operation.
‘We will only be in this position early next year, so we are very pleased with the early delivery times and thank the management of IHC for prioritising our project.’
Local benefits
Vallihu also thanked IHC Merwede for meeting its contractual obligation of executing a Supplier Development Programme to the value of 25% of the contract value.
The company ensured that certain components were manufactured locally, in addition to the estimated 1 400 tons of steel used in the dredger being imported to the Netherlands from SA.
IHC Merwede also transferred some of its advanced technology and knowledge base to aid the development of local industries by training three suppliers to manufacture the dredger’s spare parts and special components.
Furthermore, the company set up a dredging training centre with Africa’s first dredging simulator and training material at the Transnet Maritime School of Excellence in Durban.
The contract had thus far created 42 new jobs.
