On March 24th, STX France Lorient yard has floated out the St Pierre trailing suction hopper dredger ordered in July 2010 by STFMO, subsidiary of Sablières de l’Atlantique. Following her keel laying held last September, this floating out is another important milestone in the contract, before her delivery in summer 2012.

With this new step, STX France Lorient has demonstrated once more, the ability of its teams to design and build high-added value ships. It is also the concrete expression of a deep confidence and cooperation between STX and STFMO, to meet the common requirements.

“This success is also the result of a joint work with first rank suppliers and sub-contractors among whom Holland MT, supplier of the dredging equipment. Thanks to this close cooperation, we are in position to offer our client a tailor-made ship, fitted with the best equipment available on this market” said Jean Roche, STX France Lorient Managing Director.

The ship, who will sail the French Flag, will be operated throughout the year along the Atlantic Coast at more than 15 NM (about 28 km). The submerged dredge pump allows dredging offshore sand deposits up to a depth of 45 m.