Peel Ports welcomes Singapore-built LNG dual-fuel dredger “Vox Apolonia”

Alternative Fuels

Published Fri, 18th August 2023
by Admin

At the same time, Van Oord's new hybrid water-injection dredger “Maas” was bunkered for the first time with a bio bunker fuel blend at the port; port used “Vox Apolonia” for maintenance dredging.

Peel Ports Group on Tuesday (15 August) welcomed dual-fuel trailing suction hopper dredger, built in Singapore, Vox Apolonia, for the first time as it continues to improve the sustainability of its dredging work.

The UK’s second largest port operator used Dutch marine contractor Van Oord’s Vox Apolonia for maintenance dredging of the Port of Liverpool and King George V Dock in Glasgow.

“It is the first time the LNG trailing suction hopper dredger has been used at any of the group’s ports, and only the second time it has carried out work in the UK,” the Peel Ports Group, said in a statement.

The Vox Apolonia uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) and has a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional trailing suction hopper dredgers.

Peel Ports Group – which is committed to being a net zero port operator by 2040 – first welcomed the vessel to the Port of Liverpool this month, before it carried out work in Glasgow, and returned for further work at its site in Liverpool.

At the same time, Van Oord’s new hybrid water-injection dredger Maas was bunkered for the first time with a biofuel blend at the port. The company estimates it currently emits 40 per cent less CO2e than her predecessor whilst dredging for the port group in Liverpool.

It comes as the firm supplied four separate vessels to carry out important dredging of the Liverpool channel and docks at the same time.

Garry Doyle, Group Harbour Master at Peel Ports Group, said; “We are always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment across our port estate. We are striving to become net zero across the group by 2040, and the Vox Apolonia is a step ahead in terms of its sustainability credentials.

“Maintenance dredging is vital to both support the functioning of our ports, and to provide a safe navigation for vessels passing through our waters.

“It’s important to us that we use methods that are as energy efficient as possible to do this work, and that’s why we chose the Vox Apolonia for this important project.”

Marine Bourgeois, Project Manager at Van Oord, said: “We’re constantly researching and investing to bring our fleet to the next level in terms of sustainability. We have our own commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and the Vox Apolonia is the next step towards that goal.”

“It’s been great to work with Peel Ports on this project. They are always open to collaborate in our initiatives to provide greener and more efficient dredging solutions. We are proud to bring our marine ingenuity in support of their goal to be net zero by 2040.”

Manifold Times previously reported Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS), delivering the second of three dual-fuel dredgers, built in Singapore, to Dutch maritime company Van Oord.

Named Vox Apolonia, the energy efficient dredger is equipped with green features and has the ability to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is identical to the first dredger, Vox Ariane, delivered by Keppel O&M in April 2022. A third dredger for Van Oord, Vox Alexia, is expected to be delivered in 2023.

Photo credit: Peel Ports Group
Published: 18 August, 2023

Peel Ports welcomes Singapore-built LNG dual-fuel dredger “Vox Apolonia”

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