AMBASSADOR ZHANG JUN AND MADAME TIAN LIYING ATTENDED THE NAMING AND LAUNCH CEREMONY OF CHANG JIANG KOU 01 TRAILING SUCTION HOPPER DREDGER
2011/09/16

On September 10, H.E. Ambassador ZHANG Jun and his spouse Mme. TIAN Liying attended the naming and launch ceremony of CHANG JIANG KOU 01 trailing suction hopper dredger hosted by the Dutch producer IHC Dredgers B.V. at its shipyard in Kinderdijk. The ceremony was performed by Mme. TIAN as lady sponsor. Mr. FENG Jun, Director of Yangtze Estuary Waterway Administration Bureau, Ministry of Transportation of China was also present at the ceremony.

Mr. Roelse, Managing Director of IHC Dredge B.V., commended the cooperation with Chinese enterprises in recent years, which is believed to be mutually beneficial. In his remarks, Mr. Roelse related that the construction of the two 12,000 m3 trailing suction hopper dredgers ordered by Yangtze Estuary Waterway Administration Bureau from the IHC Dredge B.V. in 2008 is expected to be completed and hence the commissioning of the two vessels forthcoming. Cooperation as such not only provides effective hedging for the IHC Dredge B.V. against impact of international financial crisis, but also makes significant and positive contributions to the growth of Dutch economy, as well as further development of bilateral economic relations between China and the Netherlands.

Director FENG stated that the Yangtze Delta represents one of the most developed, vibrant and promising regional economies in China. The deep-waterway at the Yangtze Estuary, a transportation artery, bears significant impact on the overall national economic development, and hence the critical importance of ensuring its smooth operation vis-à-vis the economic security of the Yangtze Delta. The delivery and commissioning of CHANG JIANG KOU 01 trailing suction hopper dredger will not only reduce the maintenance cost of the deep waterway, but also further improve the operational conditions of the Yangtze Estuary, as well as provide safeguards for the economic and social benefits of the waterway.

CHANG JIANG KOU 01 trailing suction hopper dredger will be deployed specifically for the maintenance dredging of the Yangtze Estuary deep-waterway. In comparison with other trailing suction hopper dredger of general purpose, CHANG JIANG KOU 01 is characterized by higher efficiency, lower energy consumption and operational cost.