A sneak preview in the future

Considering the working area of TSHDs, busy ports and estuaries, their manoeuvrability is vital, especially at the normal trail speed of about 1-2 knots. Bow thrusters offer an answer, but they do consume relatively high amounts of energy. A better solution would be to improve the directive force of the rudder. All kind of rudders, known in the market, however, have certain advances and disadvances. In order to extract as many as possible advances and to reject as many as possible disadvances, IHC Dredgers is investigating a triplane rudder that combines enlarged directive force with the low resistance of a flaprudder.  If it will do what it promises, this development will again contribute to the reduction of propulsion power and emissions, related to a certain amount of loading.

By their character as 'floating machinery', dredgers are relatively heavy ships. All this weight limits their payload and thus their efficiency. IHC Dredgers is now investigating the application of leightweight materials such as sandwich panels for not-critical parts of the construction. Sandwich panels allow for considerable savings on weight and require fewer parts and welding work, which results in shorter building time and enhanced fuel efficiency of the vessel. Of course, the constructions are scrutinised by finite element (FEM) strength simulations.