HydroMer

Piriou receives contract for design and realisation of 70m airlift dredger

Piriou has just received official notice from the southern France Occitanie Region for the order of a 70m airlift dredger dedicated to the maintenance of harbours in the Gulf of Lion. Designed in collaboration with toulousan LMG Marin naval architecture agency, this modern and efficient dredger enables a 1500m3 capacity to transport sediments. It will also be fitted with a sling to collect sand at a depth up to 32m and of a front unloading device used to replenish beaches.

The integration of a hydrogen fuel cell will enable to save up to 20% of the vessel fuel oil consumption. The contract was awarded after more than a year and a half of international competition and plans to deliver the dredger in Sète, France in the third quarter of 2023. After delivering L’Estuaire, Fromveur II, Breizh Nevez I and the recent order of Insula Oya III, Piriou achieves another success and confirms its dynamism and competitiveness in this segment of public service vessels.

• A versatile high-performance dredger
The dredger is equipped with a 500mm diameter sling to suck up the sediment and a 6000m3/h pump driven by a variable speed electric motor. Its pumping capacity allows the well to be filled in less than 20 minutes. The sediments removed from the harbours are discharged by lapping through doors located at the bottom of the hull. The dredger is also equipped with a sling extension to reach depths of 32m in order to collect sand to replenish the beaches on the coast. This operation is achieved from the front of the vessel by connecting the dredger to a floating discharge pipe of 500m or more in length.

• Optimised manoeuvring equipment
The future dredger will be able to carry out rotations within a short timeframe while transporting a maximum amount of sediment (50% more than the former Cap Croisette dredger), hence the very precise study of the hull and its propulsion. The vessel is equipped with a set of three variablespeed electric thrusters – two 360° steerable thrusters at the stern and a high-powered bow thruster – this combination gives it the manoeuvrability essential for dredging harbour channels.

• A comfortable and aesthetically pleasing vessel
The crew accommodation includes ten individual cabins of respectable size, soundproofed, airconditioned, with the capacity to accommodate an additional four people. The accommodation is arranged on three levels and the elevated and forward wheelhouse provides a 360° view of the water and dredging equipment. The lines of the vessel are sleek, in order to combine elegance with the robustness and constraints of a working vessel. The dredger will carry the Region’s livery, with an H2 marking as a reminder of its hydrogen capabilities.

• An environmentally friendly dredger
Equipped with IMO 3 engines, the dredger meets the latest environmental standards. Whether docked or at anchor, and in order to limit noise and environmental pollution, the vessel can be powered entirely by its fuel cell. The available power will be sufficient to allow the crew to remain on board without any generator in service. Whether at berth or in operation, particular attention has been paid to reducing air and water noise pollution

The ship will be based in ports of Sète, Grau-du-Roi and Port-La-Nouvelle on French Mediterranean coast and operated by Occitanie Region. The use of Hydrogen is expected to help saving 20% of the fuel consumption. Onboard power totalizes 2,500 kW including the fuel-cell.

This contract comes after nearly 18 months of international tender. Delivery of the 32 m€ ship is planned for the 3rd quarter of 2023. It will be named HydroMer.

Involved in shipbuilding, repair, naval engineering and services since 1965, PIRIOU specializes in producing vessels up to 120 m with high added value through a combination of high-performance engineering and a global network of industrial sites in Europe, Africa and Asia. With over 500 ships built and delivered worldwide, PIRIOU provides bespoke solutions as well as a complete range of standardized or customized vessels that satisfy the requirements of international shipowners, whether they be private or public, civilian or military.