Jan De Nul Kicks Off New Investment Programme
This week, Jan De Nul Group reached an agreement with Construcciones Navales del Norte in Bilbao, Spain, for the construction of a very large fallpipe and mining vessel, designated build JDN 8626 and a sister vessel of the Simon Stevin (picture). In this way, the group kicks off the investment programme 2010-2013, after the successful EUR 2 billion investment programme 2007-2011 that consisted of more than 25 vessels.
The agreement for the 191.5m fallpipe and mining vessel was reached. The vessel is a sister vessel of the Simon Stevin, delivered by the same shipyard also known as ‘La Naval’at the beginning of 2010. Meanwhile the Simon Stevin has performed stone dumping operations in Australia, Sakhalin and Norway.
Almost Identical
The new vessel is almost identical, and is also provided with a fully automated system for deploying and recovering the fallpipe. This fallpipe has a diameter of 1,000 mm, and can reach down to depths of 2,000 m. As the Simon Stevin, this vessel is equipped for mining operations at large depths. The order of this second vessel demonstrates that Jan De Nul Group is dedicated to provide stonedumping and mining services worldwide, with short mobilisation times. The availability of a second, identical vessel is an extra assurance to Jan De Nul’s clients.
Ninth Build
This vessel will be the ninth built by La Naval for Jan De Nul Group since 2002. Next week, La Naval will deliver the eight vessel of Jan De Nul, the 30,500 cu.m trailing suction hopper Charles Darwin. This long and successful cooperation is a result of the competence of the shipyard in building such complex vessels, and the confidence between La Naval and Jan De Nul Group. Delivery is foreseen around end of 2012.