Successful naming and launch ceremony for 'Athena'
The ship is being built by IHC Dredgers, part of IHC Merwede, and is the first self-propelled cutter suction dredger for Van Oord.
The contract for the design, construction and delivery of the vessel was signed between Van Oord and IHC Dredgers on 9 September 2008 and the keel was laid on 19 February 2010.
Towards the end of 2010, Van Oord commissioned the construction of a second self-propelled cutter suction dredger, the 'Artemis'.
Main features
Source: IHC Merwede, February 2011
This was a unique event because the 'Athena' is the largest cutter suction dredger to be built in The Netherlands for a Dutch dredging company.
Moreover, the 'Athena' is one of the three largest cutter suction dredgers in the world.
The ceremony was performed by Ms. A.M. van Oord-Groen, wife of Mr. J.G. van Oord Sr., the former commissioner and chairman of Van Oord.
The ship will be operational in late 2011 and is equipped with the latest dredging technology, which makes it suitable for working in hard soil to a depth of 25 metres.
Total installed power: 24.650 kW
Length o.a.: 130,0 m
Breadth: 27,8 m
Suction pipe: 1 x 1.000 mm
Dredging depth: 25,0 m