The 1500 m3 trailing suction hopper dredge ordered by The Waterway Dredging and Construction Co. No.1 in Vietnam from LMG, under construction at Damen Shipyards Cargo Vessels in Hoogezand, was launched on 15th of November 2003.

The construction of the dredger is progressing according on schedule, ensuring delivery to the owner in the first quarter of 2004. After the launch and naming ceremony, the ship will be finished in Hoogezand before testing in early 2004. After the tests, it will sail to Vietnam for delivery to Waterway Dredging and Construction Company 1.

Measurements of the ship are as follows:

Length overall                 64,00   m.

Length between perp       60,00   m.

Breadth molded              13,00   m.

Depth to main deck          6,30   m.

Draught                          4,60    m.

Deadweigth total            1916     t.

Hopper load                    1760    t.

Sailing speed                     10    kn.

The dredge is built according the rules and regulations of Germanischer Lloyd for class:

GL  100 A 5 Hopper Dredge, K(20) on dredging draught 4,6 m MC.

The dredge will be named "THAI BINH DUONG", which in English means "PACIFIC OCEAN".  "HAI PHONG" in Vietnam will be its home port and the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge will be mainly used for maintenance dredging. This will provide and secure safe navigation to the main import and export harbours, especially for Hai Phong and Hon Gai, however this modern dredger is capable of capital dredging as well.

Furthermore, the dredger features a state of the art dredge control and monitoring system and one drag head in combination with the latest designed suction pipe, ensuring the best dredging performances.