Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) has officially begun construction on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ new medium-class hopper dredge.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group is collaborating with Royal IHC on the design which features one of the most advanced configurations ever developed by the company: “The steel cutting of this highly advanced hopper dredge marks another milestone in Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s legacy of delivering world-class vessels,” said Joey D’Isernia, CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. “We are proud to partner with the USACE and Royal IHC to build a dredge that will enhance our nation’s waterway infrastructure. Our team is committed to executing this program with the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and innovation.
“This new dredge is going to play a critical role in helping us deliver our navigation mission, which enables maritime commerce to flow on our nation’s waterways,” said USACE North Atlantic Division Regional Business Director John Primavera. “This strengthens our economy and supports our national security. USACE hasn’t built a deepdraft hopper dredge in about 45 years. We’re proud to recognize this milestone and look forward to continued partnership with the shipbuilding industry and progressing on the construction of this vital ship.”
The highly automated is undergoing construction at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is scheduled for delivery in 2027. The new hopper dredge will enter the USACE’s Ready Reserve Fleet and will play a critical role in the Corps’ navigation mission and provide for safe, reliable, effective, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems for vital national security, commerce, and recreation needs. The vessel will replace the 57-year-old dredge McFarland based in the Corps’ Philadelphia District. The McFarland is one of four oceangoing hopper dredges owned and operated by USACE.
The hopper can be fully loaded with medium fine sand in less than 45 minutes, and the latest high efficiency dredge pumps, almost halves the desired discharge time. The pump maximizes the operational efficiency and durability of this hopper and is specifically developed for passage of large obstacles.
USACE’s new hopper dredge will be able to load up to 15-percent more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact, due to its ECO Control Package, which includes controls for trail speed, dredge pump and draghead visor.
Unique to this hopper dredge is the use of a semi-autonomous Dredge Assist program that requires minimal human interaction to complete tasks.
All main equipment is designed with maximum efficiency to ensure continuous operation, even under extreme conditions.
As part of the Ready Reserve Fleet, MCHD requirements demand limited environmental impact. The patented overflow system limits the vessels’ ecological impact by reducing turbidity as compared to a conventional anti-turbidity valve. @@The hopper dredge is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system that meets EPA Tier 4 and IMO Tier 3 standards.
The propulsion arrangement, consisting of three main generators, allows for maximum flexibility, optimal fuel consumption and operational safety in case of engine failure.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) is an American-owned and -operated shipbuilder with three shipyards on the Florida Gulf Coast. The company builds vessels for national defense and commercial clients, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage Class Offshore Patrol Cutters and the U.S. Army Corps’ new MCHD. ESG is the largest private sector employer in Northwest Florida and is a 2017 recipient of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Small Business of the Year award.
For more information on ESG, visit www.easternshipbuilding.com
