| Dredging at Keppel Corporation's Pioneer yard |
| Dredging is underway at Keppel Corporation’s Pioneer Shipyard off the West Jurong Channel in Singapore. A notice from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said the works would be done from 16 March to 15 July. Singapore-based dredging contractor East Marine will oversee the works. Officials from Keppel Corporation, the world’s biggest rig builder, told IHS Maritime that the yard is currently used for fabrication works, but it would be converted into a shipyard. “There is thus a need to dredge to deepen the draughts to facilitate rig construction,” said a Keppel official. The MPA notice said the dredging work will be carried out by a dredger held in position with anchors. The dredger, with hopper barges in attendance, will have a circular safety working zone within a 50-metre radius, centred at the dredger. Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the hopper barges, assisted by pusher tugs. A safety boat will be deployed in the vicinity of the working area to warn other crafts of the project zone. The grab dredgers Pandora, Syunkai, Tarvos, and Bestla would be deployed for this project. |