Samuel de Champlain, the first European dredger converted to dual-fuel LNG/MGO propulsion, has departed Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque to return to work, 23 months after contract signing.
Damen carried out engineering, procurement, installation, commissioning, and support. Key features included changing of the engines to dual-fuel (LNG/diesel) models, the installation of onboard LNG storage facilities, and maintenance support for eight years.
Owned by Rouen-based GIE Dragages-Ports and operated by the Port of Nantes-Saint-Nazaire, the 117-metre-long trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) underwent conversion to demonstrate the feasibility of using LNG as a fuel on smaller vessels as well as allow GIE Dragages-Ports to achieve reduced fuel consumption and less engine maintenance, while at the same time delivering greatly reduced emissions of CO2, NOx, and particulate matter emissions.
The conversion project was made possible by a subsidy from the European Commission's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) via its Connecting Europe Facility programme.