Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been contracted by The Dutra Group to build a 10,464 cubic yard trailing suction hopper dredge named “Adele”.
The construction will take place at Eastern’s facilities in Allanton and Port St. Joe, with delivery expected in late 2028.
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“Adele” will join The Dutra Group’s fleet, which includes the “Stuyvesant,” enhancing the nation’s waterways infrastructure.
The Dutra Group founder and chairman Bill Dutra said: “This major investment continues The Dutra Group’s recapitalisation efforts and focuses our resources on Dutra’s commitment to supporting America’s Jones Act fleet, our US shipyards, and our nation’s maritime and economic security needs.
“The “Adele” will be American-owned, American-built, American flagged, and most importantly, American crewed.”
The vessel’s design is based on Royal IHC’s Beagle design, optimised for efficiency and quick offloading of dredged material, with a focus on servicing shoreline and wetland areas.
The vessel will measure 347×79.5x37ft, have an installed power capacity of 13,290hp, a digging depth of 90ft and a total loaded draft of 26.9ft.
It will feature a V-shaped hopper, a bulbous bow for reduced drag, and an accommodation deckhouse with separate navigation and dredging consoles.
The vessel’s ergonomic hopper control chair provides the dredge master with optimal control over dredging operations.
The vessel’s engine room and dredge pumps are designed for efficiency and performance.
The Dutra Group president and CEO Harry Stewart said: “This state-of-the art, technically efficient new build vessel is designed to meet our nation’s maritime infrastructure needs, now and in the future, as the low-cost provider dredging services, including channel deepening, maintenance dredging, beach nourishment and coastal restoration projects.
“America’s military and consumers depend on our ability to keep our US waterways open and safe.”
In December 2024, Eastern Shipbuilding awarded a contract to bound4blue to supply three 22m high eSAIL suction sails for installation on a medium-range tanker.
