(HOUSTON) — Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. (GLDD) has exercised a contract option with Conrad Shipyard of Amelia, La., to build a second 6,500-cubic-yard trailing suction hopper dredge. With expected delivery in the first quarter of 2025, the new vessel will be a sister ship to Galveston Island, currently under construction with delivery in early 2023.
Great Lakes’ hopper dredge fleet, including the ATB tug Douglas B. Mackie and 15,000-cubic-yard barge Ellis Island, along with Galveston Island, Liberty Island, Terrapin Island, Dodge Island and Padre Island, is the largest in the United States.
“As the leader in the U.S. dredging industry, Great Lakes continues to strategically invest in its dredging fleet,” said Lasse Petterson, president and CEO. “This highly automated newbuild vessel will be well-suited to multi-use applications on various project types. It will be deployed for channel deepening, maintenance dredging, beach nourishment and coastal restoration projects to meet our nation’s maritime infrastructure needs. This vessel reinforces our commitment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the robust U.S. dredging market.
“Construction of the Galveston Island at Conrad has progressed on schedule and on budget,” he continued. “We are very pleased with the quality of construction and our strong partnership with Conrad.”
This newbuild supports the continued modernization and diversification of Great Lakes’ fleet. The dredge is identical to Galveston Island and will feature two 31.5-inch suction pipes. It will be able to dredge at depths of up to 100 feet, with principal dimensions of approximately 346 feet in length, 69 feet in breadth and 23 feet in depth, and 16,500 total installed horsepower.
The dredge will be equipped with a direct high-power pump-ashore installation, dredging system automation, dynamic positioning and tracking, EPA Tier 4-compliant engines, and additional features designed to minimize the impact of its dredging process on the environment.
The Tier 4-compliant engines significantly reduce the vessel’s climate footprint, while other incorporated features minimize turbidity and marine species entrainment. Accommodations feature single-occupancy staterooms, a workout room and a movie theater with raised seating that doubles as a training facility.
– Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.
