Even though the current investment programme 2008-2011, which amounts to EUR 1 billion, is still being implemented, the DEME Group is already commencing a new series of investments which will see 3 new units on the market by mid-2012. An amount of EUR 260 million has been allocated for these new investments. Including these new investments, a total of nine new, large units will be added to the DEME fleet by mid-2012.

The construction contract for these three vessels has now been signed with the IHC Merwede shipyard. It encompasses the construction of a new trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) with a hopper capacity of 11,650 m3, an extremely powerful, self-propelled rock cutter dredger with a total installed output of 28,000 kW and a patented high-tech, flexible fall-pipe system that will enable accurate stone dumping at depths of up to 2,000 m. This is absolutely unparalleled!