Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) began construction work yesterday on the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)’s new medium-class hopper dredger at a ceremonial steel cutting event.
The ceremony was attended by USACE Headquarters, North Atlantic Division, Marine Design Center, Philadelphia District Leadership, Royal IHC and Eastern Shipbuilding Group.
“This highly advanced hopper dredger steel cutting marks another milestone in delivering world-class vessels for the Eastern Shipbuilding Group. We are proud to partner with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Royal IHC to build a cutting-edge dredger that will strengthen the country’s waterway infrastructure. CEO of D’Isernia, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.
“This new dredger will play an important role in helping to provide voyage missions that will allow maritime commerce to flow through our country’s waterways. This will strengthen our economy and support national security.”
“USACE has not built a deep draft hopper, dredger, for nearly 45 years. We are proud to recognize this milestone, look forward to our continued partnership with the shipbuilding industry, and we are working on building this important ship.”
This highly automated vessel is being constructed at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
The vessel will also replace the Corps’ Philadelphia area of 57-year-old dredge McFarland.
Dredge McFarland is one of four ocean hopper dredges owned and operated by USACE.
New dredger spec:
Draft (Hopper empty): 11’3″, Draft (Hopper full): 25’6″, Maximum hopper capacity: 6000 YD3, Maximum dredge depth 45 degrees with suction tube: 65′.
