Caterpillar to Power One of the World’s Largest Split Hopper Dredger

Caterpillar Marine has just announced that one of the world’s largest split hopper dredger is being built with a complete Cat® engine and propulsion package.

The 4200m³ capacity vessel, designed by MARIC Design House in conjunction with the Jiangsu Haixin shipyard, receives its shaft propulsion power from two Cat C280-8 engines which are used to power Cat MTA727 controllable pitch azimuthing thrusters.

The electrical load is supplied by generators mounted on the front of the C280-8 engines and backed up by a C32 harbor genset and a C7.1 emergency genset.

The C280-8 provision of mechanical shaft power to the thrusters from the flywheel end and electrical shaft power off the C280-8 front end provides a simplified installation that helps maintain engine efficiency.

The all Cat vessel design allows for a single point of contact for best in class global service and parts support.

“The propulsion system is very critical for dredgers in terms of operations and financial returns,” said Mr. Jiang Guowang, deputy GM of Jiangsu Haixin Shipyard.

“The high reliability and power efficiency of Cat engines, combined with Lei Sing Hang’s strong technical and service capability are the main reasons we choose Caterpillar Marine solution.”

The vessel is scheduled for launch in September of 2017.