In Uljanik, on the 14th July 2012, Hull no. 497 – „Bartolomeu Dias“ was launched to the sea from slipway no. 2. This is the second ship of a series of two Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers constructed by Uljanik for the Luxembourg company Jan De Nul S.A. Luxembourg G.D.
The partner of Michiel Himpe, one of the main inspectors of JAN DE NUL, Ms Katrijn Coene, released the ship into the sea by the traditional cutting of the rope and expressed her wishes to both the crew and the ship for long and happy sailings. The guests who were present were addressed with a few words by Mr. Eduard Milovan, Member of the Managing Board and Director of the Production Department who, among other things, stressed the extraordinary collaboration with all the shipowner’s representatives which shall very soon be continued with the realization of new projects and new floating objects.
Mr. Milovan stressed the fact that all can be very satisfied with the job performed and that all works are continuing to be performed in accordance with the schedule, which is a guarantee that the delivery will follow as agreed. At the end, Milovan also thanked the inspectors of “Bureau Veritas” as well as all Uljanik workers and Uljanik subcontractors for the fifth launching this year which was realized despite very demanding weather conditions.
With a deadweight of 26,000 tonnes, “Bartolomeu Dias” is 147.6 m long, 30 m broad, and the ship and its working equipment will be powered by two main diesel engines of 7200 kW each. The depth from which the ship will be sucking material will range from 42 to 50 meters.
The Shipbuilding Contract for the construction was signed in July 2010 while the keel was laid last February.