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The advantages of standardization in the dredging industry

Presented during:

CEDA Dredging Days 2012 - Virtue, Venture and Vision in the Coastal Zone

Authors:

Blaas W and ten Heggeler O - IHC Dredgers, the Netherlands

Abstract: Standardization in sea going ships has a long history, but seems to come and go. The same applies to the design of Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers; in the past various attempts have been made to set up a standard range. Some of these standards are still remembered today, such as the Eurotrail, while others are long forgotten. None however has a long and continuing history comparable to for instance the IHC Beaver range.

Surely there is a relation with the size of the market of trailing suction hopper dredgers. However, some advantages remain despite the smaller numbers. These advantages are ranging from lower design costs since they are split over a number of trailing suction hopper dredgers, shorter construction period due to learning effects and easier operation due to a lower number of teething troubles. Later on the advantage of proven design and easier maintenance due to standardization of parts and equipment also count. These advantages lead to lower operational costs per m3 dredged material.

On the other hand dredging companies tend to translate their experience and market knowledge into a vision on their next Trailing Suction Dredger. It is considered to be their competitive edge to have better Trailing Suction Dredgers than others. In other cases Trailing Suction Dredgers can have specific tasks in specific situations and the design can be optimized to achieve better production against lower operational costs.

So the challenge is to find a combination of the best of both worlds. IHC Merwede has taken up this challenge and developed both the IHC Beagle series as well as the Easydredge budget line Trailing Suction Dredgers. In this series the hull and engine room arrangement are standard while the Trailing Suction Dredger can be extended in dredging functions and in additional equipment, now or in the future. The paper discusses the balance between standardization on one hand and customization on the other.