On July 17th, under the joint maintenance of the maritime departments in Nantong and Chongming, the "Xinhai Sturgeon", the world's largest LNG powered drag suction dredger with the largest cabin capacity, invested by CCCC Shanghai Navigation Bureau and built by Zhenhua Heavy Industry, successfully sailed from Qidong for a trial voyage.

The drag suction dredger belongs to the category of dredging engineering ships, mainly responsible for channel dredging and maintenance, and is also a "major heavy tool" for blowing sand and filling land.

The "Xinhai Sturgeon" vessel, which is undergoing a trial voyage out of the river, is the first dual fuel powered dredger in China, designed by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Limited (CSIC). The ship has a total length of 155.7 meters, a width of 32 meters, and a full load draft of 9.9 meters. The maximum capacity of the mud tank design is 17000 cubic meters. There are three layers below the main deck, with the bottom layer containing power equipment such as the main engine and generator, the middle layer containing control systems such as the control panel and distribution board, and the upper main deck containing cranes and dredging equipment.

The ship can switch between using LNG and diesel fuels as its power system at any time. The dual fuel ship power unit has power performance indicators that are basically the same as diesel engines, while reducing 90% of nitrogen oxide and 20% of carbon dioxide emissions, and eliminating sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions. It is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional fuel powered dredgers, and operates more economically.

At the same time, the "New Sea Sturgeon" is also equipped with the most advanced and intelligent "one click dredging" and "dredging driving integration" systems in China, achieving single person driving and dredging operations for the first time in China. The ship will also be equipped with a comprehensive intelligent management platform for the first time on a drag suction dredger, integrating intelligent engine room, intelligent navigation, intelligent energy efficiency management and other systems. Through the integrated design, installation and control of the entire ship, the management level of the entire ship will be effectively improved, construction efficiency will be enhanced, and navigation safety will be guaranteed.

It is reported that the "New Sea Sturgeon" is expected to be officially delivered in September this year. After delivery, it will be mainly used for dredging, reclamation, and coastal maintenance projects in coastal ports and deep-water channels, injecting new momentum into the development of green and clean shipping in China.

To ensure the safety of new shipbuilding trials, the maritime departments of Nantong and Chongming have taken the initiative to provide advanced services, understand the trial operation plan and specific arrangements, and conduct relevant inspections on crew deployment, personnel safety training, emergency plan drills, as well as the deployment and operation of key equipment such as fire protection, lifesaving, and electromechanical systems. At the same time, urge the trial units to raise safety awareness, strengthen information communication, pay attention to meteorological changes, and ensure the successful completion of the trial.