On April 26, 2024, the celebratory christening ceremonies of two new hybrid water injection dredgers, Rijn and Rhône (both flying the Dutch flag), along with an unmanned survey vessel, VO:X Barentsz, took place in Rotterdam. The event unfolded at the jetty of Van Oord's head office.
The Rijn and Rhône stand as sibling vessels to the previously commissioned Maas and Mersey in 2021.
A New Era in Sustainable Dredging
The Rijn and Rhône represent a new pinnacle in sustainable water injection dredging, boasting the Ultra Low Emission Vessel (ULEV) certification. Their hybrid energy management systems, coupled with heat recovery mechanisms and exhaust gas treatment devices, significantly curtail energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (CO2e, NOx, PM). These vessels integrate innovative technologies like active heave compensation and dynamic positioning systems, allowing for automation in dredging operations.
Environmentally Friendly Sediment Removal
Van Oord holds a global leadership position in water injection dredging, a method known for its efficiency and environmental friendliness in maintaining navigational channels, ports, and rivers. With their exceptional maneuverability and shallow draught, these vessels excel in shallow harbor maintenance dredging.
Unmanned Survey Vessel
VO:X Barentsz, Van Oord's fifth unmanned autonomous survey vessel (USV), was developed jointly by Van Oord's in-house survey department and DEMCON Unmanned Systems, this vessel represents an evolution from its predecessors, equipped with enhanced technologies and functionalities tailored for offshore operations. The utilization of unmanned survey vessels not only enhances data collection efficiency for clients but also improves safety by eliminating onboard personnel.
A New Leadership Era
The christening ceremony also marked the transition from Pieter van Oord's tenure, who led Van Oord as CEO for over 15 years and served the company for three decades, to the helm of Govert van Oord, the fifth-generation CEO of this family-owned enterprise. It was a momentous occasion heralding both farewells and new beginnings.
Source: Van Oord