Belgian dredging group DEME has ordered what it says will be the world's first two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered dredgers from Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC for an undisclosed price.
The two trailing suction hopper dredgers will have a dual fuel capability, enabling them to use LNG or diesel, and are due to go into operation before the end of next year.
DEME head of construction and conversion Jan Gabriel told IHS Maritime that the two vessels were destined for use in the European market and that, after extensive study, the group had come to the conclusion that LNG propulsion was the best solution to ensure that they complied with marine fuel sulphur limits in sulphur emission control areas.