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100% Made in China
The IHC Merwede Area Manager for China and After-Sales Director Walter Hoebée says: “These two dredgers are the products of our partnership with Dalian Liaonan Shipyard. The IHC 8527MP® is particularly special though, because of its unrivalled productivity and because it was designed with a focus on redundancy.”
The IHC 7025MP® has already proved itself in the China market: since its launch in 2007, 22 units have been sold, 19 of which have already been delivered.
And even though the first prototype of the IHC 8527MP® has just been produced, eight of these new dredgers have been sold.
Walter Hoebée comments: “The IHC 7025MP® is the only dredger that is entirely made for the China market. It has more accommodation to facilitate 24-hour working, a deeper dredging capacity and it has the power to discharge much further away. Since its launch, it has been clear that there was also demand for a dredger in a higher power range, hence the creation of the larger, IHC 8527MP®.”
Launch of new training simulators
As well as the new dredger, IHC Merwede is also announcing the launch of two training simulators for the IHC 7025MP® and IHC 8527MP®. The simulators will be based in Tianjin.
“As soon as we started with the special China dredger series in 2007, it was clear that there was enormous demand for education and training. IHC Merwede now offers a full training programme and we are working on developing the courses so that they lead to a fully-certified qualification.”
Our leading customer in China reports that simulator training helps to achieve a 10% boost in production," emphasises Walter Hoebée.
“We want to give the message to the market that we are not just a dredger supplier - a supplier of equipment - but that we also offer a full range of services, including training and advisory support. Vessels, Equipment and Service - that is our vision.”
Guangzhou Dredging Company and IHC Merwede extend contract
This vision led to the introduction of the Life Cycle Support Programme. Through this programme, IHC Merwede offers maintenance and advice throughout a vessel's lifetime.
A leading client in China recently entered into a five-year Life Cycle Support contract as a pilot for two vessels.
One aspect of Life Cycle Support is Condition Monitoring. IHC Merwede can monitor equipment remotely. This system flags up the best time to carry out maintenance, minimising unforeseen repairs.
Future expansion in China
IHC Merwede built its first dredger in 1895 and the company has been building up its presence in China for the last 13 years.
Currently, the Dutch company has a production facility in Guangzhou for manufacturing strategic heavy components. Employing around 200 people, this facility produces 2,000 tonnes of steel a year. The plant, which originally opened in 2004, is located on a 35,000m2 site. Further extension is planned. IHC Merwede would like to add a repair branch, another production hall and a machine shop. These are likely to be based in or around Guangzhou.
There is a supply company for spare parts based in Tianjin and a Service Centre in Tangu. The company’s China headquarters and sales office are based in Beijing.
“There is a huge amount of activity in the Pearl River Delta and the Bohai Sea,” Walter Hoebée adds."New types of dredgers are also just a matter of time," he quips. “China is concerned about energy consumption and the impact these vessels have on the environment. There is an increasing focus on more environmentally-friendly dredgers.”
The Chinese market is very important in the dredging industry. With seven major rivers, a very large coastal area and around 1,000 ports, China offers huge potential. On top of this, the Chinese government is investing a great deal – some € 400 bn in its ports and infrastructure. “The scale of development is quite breathtaking. Several projects covering a surface of 100‑200km2 are in execution simultaneously, like Cao Fei Dian and the Bin Hai new development area.”
Developing offshore business
The offshore market in China is important for IHC Merwede’s units, IHC Handling Systems and IHC Hydrohammer. IHC Merwede has recently delivered high tech offshore equipment. The company keeps an eye on China’s offshore market developments.
New China appointments
IHC Merwede has also chosen Marintec to announce some personnel changes. Although Mr Hoebée will continue to work in the China market in his position as After-Sales Director, André Vrijsen will be succeeding him as Area Manager China. André Vrijsen is the current Area Manager South America.
Ton de Gruijter of MTI Holland B.V. (a member of the IHC Merwede Group) will become Regional Sales Manager for After-Sales in China from 1 January 2010.
Marintec China 2009 stand 1E41-2
For any information about the IHC 8527MP®, the new training simulators, IHC Life Cycle Support Programme or to meet Mr Vrijsen and Mr De Gruijter, please come and visit us at Marintec China, stand number 1E41-2.
Profile IHC Merwede
IHC Merwede is focused on the continuous development of its design and construction activities for the specialised shipbuilding sector, in particular the dredging and offshore industries.
IHC Merwede is world market leader in the construction of specialist dredging equipment. IHC Merwede is also recognised as an outstanding builder of complex, custom-built vessels for offshore construction. The clients of IHC Merwede include major dredging companies, oil and gas exploration groups, offshore contractors and government authorities.
IHC Merwede has a staff of approximately 2,800 at its locations in the Netherlands. There are also branches in China, India, the Middle East, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
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