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A new-generation 'Antigoon' class dredger, named the Scheldt River, being built by Royal IHC (IHC) in the Netherlands on behalf of the Belgium based DEME Group, is to be powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel (DF) engines.

It is set to be the first ever dredger to operate on engines capable of utilising either liquefied natural gas (LNG) or conventional marine fuels. The contract with Wärtsilä was signed in July.

The 104-metre-long vessel will have a hopper volume capacity of approximately 8,000 cubic metres. The scope of supply includes one 12-cylinder and one 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF engines, two Wärtsilä controllable pitch propellers and two transverse thrusters as well as the company's patented LNGPac gas supply and storage system.

Commenting on the news, Lars Anderson, Vice President, Engine Sales, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions, said: "Wärtsilä's unmatched experience and extensive reference list in dual-fuel engine applications, plus our complete solutions portfolio, were key considerations in the award of this contract. We congratulate the shipyard and owners for taking the decision to have this new dredger become the first to be capable of using LNG or diesel fuel."

Jan Gabriël, Head of New Building and Conversion Department at DEME, remarked: "Environmental considerations are extremely important for every new vessel built today. Operating on LNG allows DEME to set new standards in minimising harmful emissions. 'Scheldt River' will easily comply with all local and international environmental regulations. Wärtsilä's dual-fuel know-how and in particular the 34DF engine series made our concept feasible."

It is the second notable order received by Wärtsilä in recent weeks for dredger-related propulsion solutions. In June, the company was contracted to supply a comprehensive integrated solutions package for one of the world's largest and most advanced self-propelled cutter dredgers currently under construction in China.