Dutch shipbuilder and equipment maker Royal IHC is looking to seal its first large-scale contract since last year’s restructuring.

The company has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the dredging, infrastructure and offshore group Boskalis for the construction of a 31,000m³-capacity trailing suction hopper dredger. Translation of the LOI into a firm contract would allow Royal IHC to re-open its Krimpen aan den IJssel shipyard, to effect delivery of the envisaged newbuild in mid-2026.

The design features two trailing suction pipes, one on each side of the hull, a high throughput shore pumping capacity, a diesel-electric propulsion installation, and preparation for future adaptation to methanol fuel.