The R889-million trailing suction hopper dredger Ilembe sailed into the Port of Durban at the end of last week on her maiden voyage from the builders in the Netherlands.
The 6 500-tonne deadweight (dwt), 5 500-cubic-metre-capacity vessel has a length overall (loa) of 100 metres, a beam (maximum width) of 23m and a 5.5m draught.
She now joins the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) dredging division fleet, with TNPA revealing plans for her to operate at SA ports, and in contract work at other ports in Africa.
The meaning of Ilembe in Zulu is ‘great warrior’ – referring to King Shaka Zulu whose tomb is situated in the Ilembe district, about 65 kilometres north of Durban.
