On June 13, a special milestone was celebrated at the shipyard of Arnold AG in Flüelen, Switzerland. In the presence of customers, partners, engineers, employees, suppliers and local authorities, two newly acquired 335 m³ split hopper barges were officially christened: Rophaien and Aixen.

The christening marked more than the launch of two vessels. It symbolized the successful collaboration between Arnold AG and Baars BV and the start of an important new chapter in supporting the Seeschüttungs project on Lake Lucerne, connected to the development works around the Gotthard Tunnel region.

Built for Flexibility and Efficiency
The two self-propelled split hopper barges have been designed to operate efficiently in challenging environments where flexibility is essential. Thanks to their dismountable design, the vessels can be transported and assembled with relative ease, making them particularly suitable for projects in remote or difficult-to-access locations.

With a hopper capacity of 335 m³ each, the barges provide an effective solution for the transport and discharge of dredged material and rock, contributing to a more efficient execution of large-scale marine and civil engineering projects.

Strong Connection to the Region
The names Rophaien and Aixen were carefully chosen and carry a strong regional significance. Both vessels are named after mountains in the Canton of Uri, the region where they will be operating. This creates a meaningful connection between the vessels and the environment in which they will play an important role over the coming years.

The official christening ceremony was performed by Mrs. Michelle Steinegger and Corinne Suter, Olympic and World Champion skier from Flüelen. Their participation added a special local touch to the event and highlighted the importance of the project for the region.

Collaboration as the Foundation
Large infrastructure and marine projects can only be successful through close cooperation between clients, contractors, suppliers and engineering partners. The christening ceremony provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on the teamwork and dedication that brought this project to life.

During the ceremony, Bert Advocaat and Damian Wegrzyn delivered a speech on behalf of Baars BV, reflecting on the successful collaboration and expressing their appreciation to Mr. Steinegger and the entire Arnold AG team for their trust and partnership throughout the acquisition and preparation of these vessels.

Supporting Complex Marine Projects
The addition of the split hopper barges Rophaien and Aixen further strengthens the capabilities available for marine construction, dredging and environmental projects. Their combination of capacity, mobility and adaptability makes them a valuable asset for operations where reliability and efficiency are critical.

Learn More About the Project
Interested in the application of split hopper barges and modular pontoons for the Gotthard Tunnel and nature development project?

Read more: Split barges and pontoons for Gotthard Tunnel and nature development – Baars BV

Looking for a practical solution for your next marine construction or dredging project?
Baars BV offers a wide range of modular pontoons, jack-up platforms, split hopper barges and marine equipment for projects throughout Europe and beyond.

Let’s connect. +31184415566 or rental@baarsbv.com