Delivered back in May 2015, the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger Barito Equator marked some significant achievements for both the Indonesian dredging and shipbuilding industries.
First of all, the 80-metre long vessel was the first of its kind to be built in Indonesia; construction taking place at Steadfast Marine shipyard in the country’s Kalimantan region on the island of Borneo. With Damen Technical Cooperation assisting the build process, the local yard could benefit from the transfer of a considerable amount of knowledge and technology. And then, for the vessel’s owner – Indonesian dredging company Pelayaran Fortuna Nusantara Megajaya (PFNM) – the arrival of the Barito Equator represented a major step forward in the development of local dredging skills and experience. The vessel has also played a critical role in improving and then maintaining vital cargo and transport links that, in turn, have been advantageous to the local economy.
Looking at what PFNM and the Barito Equator have achieved in the first two years since delivery, the local Indonesian dredging sector is looking towards an exciting and productive future.
The Barito Equator was also a notable vessel for Damen. Not only was it the company’ largest standard TSHD built to date, but construction involved support from a number of sister companies. Damen Technical Cooperation assisted the process, with Damen Shipyards Gorinchem taking of the engineering, Damen Dredging Equipment providing the complete trailing dredging system, and Damen Marine Components delivered a large amount of the components, including gearbox and rudder.
View Virtual tour TSHD 2500 "Barito Equator"