FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Hopper barges
What can be transported in a hopper barge?
Our barges are ideal for sustainable water transport of dredging spoil, sand, soil, and rubble.
What is the capacity of the hopper barges?
There are 4 sizes of hopper barges:
- 489 m3 : B51,B53
- 697 m3 : B75
- 881 m3 : B80,B81, B82,B83
- 1050m3: B1003, B1004
What is the draught of the hopper barge?
We have 9 hopper barges with a loaded draught ranging from 2.55 to 2.97 metres.
Can a hopper barge be transported to the project location?
Transport hopper barge
Yes, a hopper barge can be transported to the project location. You can arrange your own transport or leave it to us. We contract with a third party and bill you directly for the costs + 5% administrative costs.
Can a hopper barge be delivered to a location outside the Netherlands?
Yes, a hopper barge can be delivered to a location outside the Netherlands. In that case, Baars will arrange for a tow certificate and a fit for tow certificate. The tow certificate indicates that the tugboat, crew and towed vessel meet the relevant legal requirements. A Fit for Tow certificate is issued by a classification society on behalf of ILT to allow seagoing transport of an unladen inland vessel.
What is the difference between a hopper barge and an elevator barge?
A hopper barge is a barge with upright hopper walls and an elevator barge has slanted hopper walls. With its slanted sides, the elevator barge is suitable to be emptied by a barge unloading suction dredger, and a hopper dredger can be unloaded by a grab.
Do I have to have certificates on board?
Unmanned inland barges have a Dutch shipping inspection plate welded to the washboard; if this plate is in place, no on-board certificate is needed. Certificates for seagoing barges are digital, which means that they can be looked up and/or printed via the internet at any time.
How does the international tonnage certificate of the hopper barge work?
The international tonnage certificate is used to determine the weight of the load according to the draught.
The following information is also listed on the international tonnage certificate:
- age
- dimensions
- zones in which the ship is bound to sail
How does the inland tonnage certificate work?
The inland tonnage certificate is used to determine the content of the hopper.
The m3 in the cargo hold can be determined by taking a depth reading in the hopper and consulting the table in the inland tonnage certificate.
Do the barges have lighting?
As a rule, there is no navigation lighting on the barges. Baars can install navigation lighting on the barge upon request.
May the barges be used to transport rocks?
Without written permission from Baars, transporting rocks is not permitted.
Drywell hopper barges
What can be transported in a drywell hopper barge?
Our barges are ideal for sustainable water transport of dredging spoil, sand, soil, and rubble.
What is the capacity of the drywell hopper barges?
There are 5 sizes of drywell hopper barges:
- 240 m3 : B63,B64
- 250 m3 : B46,B47
- 300 m3 : B31
- 425 m3 : B45
- 475 m3 : B48
What is the draught of the hopper barge?
The 7 drywell hopper barges have a loaded draught of 2.28 to 3.12m.
Can a hopper barge be transported to the project location?
Yes, a hopper barge can be transported to the project location. You can arrange your own transport or leave it to us. We contract with a third party and bill you directly for the costs + 5% administrative costs.
Can a hopper barge be delivered to a location outside the Netherlands?
Yes, a hopper barge can be delivered to a location outside the Netherlands. In that case, Baars will arrange for a tow certificate and a fit for tow certificate. The tow certificate indicates that the tugboat, crew and towed vessel meet the relevant legal requirements. A Fit for Tow certificate is issued by a classification society on behalf of ILT to allow seagoing transport of an unladen inland vessel.
What should I do if there is something wrong with the rented property?
If the property does not function properly, you can contact our service department 24/7. The telephone number is +31 184 415566.
What is the difference between a hopper barge and an elevator barge?
A hopper barge is a barge with upright hopper walls and an elevator barge has slanted hopper walls. With its slanted sides, the elevator barge is suitable to be emptied by a barge unloading suction dredger, and a hopper dredger can be unloaded by a grab.
How does the international tonnage certificate of the hopper, elevator, and split barges work?
The international tonnage certificate is used to determine the weight of the load according to the draught.
The following information is also listed on the international tonnage certificate:
- age
- dimensions
- zones in which the ship is bound to sail
How does the inland tonnage certificate work?
The inland tonnage certificate is used to determine the content of the hopper.
The m3 in the cargo hold can be determined by taking a depth reading in the hopper and consulting the table in the inland tonnage certificate
Do I have to have certificates on board?
Unmanned inland barges have a Dutch shipping inspection plate welded to the washboard; if this plate is in place, no on-board certificate is needed. Certificates for seagoing barges are digital, which means that they can be looked up and/or printed via the internet at any time.
Do the barges have lighting?
As a rule, there is no navigation lighting on the barges. Baars can install navigation lighting on the barge upon request.
May the barges be used to transport rocks?
Without written permission from Baars, transporting rocks is not permitted.
Split hopper barges
What is the capacity of the splithopper barges?
There are 6 sizes of splithopper barges:
- 160 m3 : B109, B110, B113, B114
- 335 m3 : B305, B306
- 450 m3 : B401, B402, B403, B404
- 600 m3 : B601, B602
- 850 m3 : B801, B802
- 1000 m3 : B1001, B1002
Can a splithopper barge be transported to the project location?
Yes, a splithopper barge can be transported to the project location. You can arrange your own transport or leave it to us. We contract with a third party and bill you directly for the costs + 5% administrative costs.
Transport Split hopper barge Baars via tugboat
Overseas transport split hopper barge via semi submersible vessel
Can a splithopper barge be delivered to a location outside the Netherlands?
Yes the split hopper barges all have seagoing certificates.
What should I do if there is something wrong with the rented property?
If the property does not function properly, you can contact our service department 24/7. The telephone number is +31 184 415566.
How does the international tonnage certificate of the splithopper barges work?
The international tonnage certificate is used to determine the weight of the load according to the draught.
The following information is also listed on the international tonnage certificate:
- age
- dimensions
- zones in which the ship is bound to sail
How does the inland tonnage certificate work?
The inland tonnage certificate is used to determine the content of the hopper.
The m3 in the cargo hold can be determined by taking a depth reading in the hopper and consulting the table in the inland tonnage certificate.
Do I have to have certificates on board?
Unmanned inland barges have a Dutch shipping inspection plate welded to the washboard; if this plate is in place, no on-board certificate is needed. Certificates for seagoing barges are digital, which means that they can be looked up and/or printed via the internet at any time.
Do the splithopper barges have lighting?
As a rule, there is no navigation lighting on the barges. Baars can install navigation lighting on the barge upon request.
How does the lock securing mechanism work?
The securing mechanism is a required feature for inland shipping that is intended to prevent split barges from accidentally opening in a lock. ONLY use this mechanism IN the lock. If the barge is loaded and you forget to unbolt the securing mechanism for unloading, the barge has to be emptied before it can be unbolted! This applies to all split hopper barges of Baars.
The engine starts, but dies again immediately. What do I do?
The emergency stop is activated. Check the emergency stop on the engine control panel or deck control panel.
The engine stops while the split barge is being opened.
When the barge is opened, oil goes to the cylinders, causing the level in the hydraulic tank to go down. If it goes below a certain critical point, the engine stops automatically. Top up the oil to a level of about 75%.
What hydraulic oil should I used in a splithopper barge?
Mobil DTE-25 or equivalent (ask the oil supplier).
May the splithopper barges be used to transport rocks?
Without written permission from Baars, transporting rocks is not permitted. There are some possibilties to strengthen the hopper with a hardox layer.
hardox hopper in splithopper barge
Modular pontoons
How does the coupling system work?
The Confloat coupling system consists of separate parts that are placed ahead of time in the pontoons to be coupled. The coupling is a ‘nut and bolt’ connection consisting of a special high-quality bolt, a guide cylinder for the bolt, and a nut. These parts have to be placed in such a way that when the work pontoon is assembled, the guide cylinder with the bolt inside it corresponds to the nut in the adjacent pontoon. For every side to be coupled, there are twelve (12) possible positions: three (3) in a row in each corner. During coupling, as soon as the bolt is lined up with the appropriate nut, this bolt is inserted in the nut and immediately tightened with an impact wrench. Once the pontoon is configured in this way, each bolt pretensioned to 210 kN using a torque wrench. This creates an immovable and practically seamless whole, which is capable of absorbing great dynamic loads.
Click on modular pontoons for more details
What is the difference between a modular jack-up and a modular container pontoon?
A modular jack-up is a modular container pontoon that is certified to function while jacked up above the surface of the water. Jack-ups are primarily used in tidal zones to provide a stable working platform.
The spud poles on a modular container pontoon provide anchorage and stabilisation, and rise and fall with the water level. A modular container pontoon is never used for work above the surface of the water.
Jackup 6′ Baars
modular container pontoon Baars
What choices do I have in spud systems?
The modular Baars pontoons have two types of jack-up systems: jack-up systems with cylinders that have lift and stabilisation capacities ranging from 50 to 200 tonnes; and spud systems with winches that can lift and stabilise from 20 to 120 tonnes. For dredging, Baars recommends the winch spud system, and for pile-driving and drilling work, the hydraulic system
Are the modular container pontoons certified?
The containers are furnished with a hull construction certificate. This means that the hull is certified, so for a pontoon configuration we only make calculations for stability and longitudinal strength. An on-board safety inspection is then carried out and a certificate issued for the whole pontoon.
Does Baars supply the stabilisation calculations?
On request, for an addition charge Baars can provide stabilisation calculations.
What transport can be used for modular pontoons?
That depends on the work location. If the work location is a lake or landlocked body of water, the only possibility for transport is trucks. For non-landlocked bodies of water, the modular work platform can also be delivered by water. In that case, the most economical means of transport will be offered.
Transport pontoon by truck
Transport pontoon by vessel and truck
Transport pontoon by tugboat
Who assembles/disassembles the modular pontoons?
Assembly/disassembly is arranged by Baars and charged at actual costs. Instructions or installation of the hopper/split/elevator barge is arranged by Baars and charged to the hirer. This is accomplished as follows:
Engineer: €… per calendar day of no more than 12 hours, overtime pro-rated.
Baars sends 2 engineers to provide further assistance. All costs are charged as actual costs, plus 10%. This includes the cost of travel tickets, all costs outside the Netherlands, visas, hotels, food and drinks, transport etc. These costs are the responsibility of the hirer.
What needs to be present at the work location for the assembly and disassembly of modular pontoons?
The hirer must ensure that Baars has access to a safe work location, a crane, electricity and an air compressor with sufficient capacity of at least 3.5 m3 per minute. All these costs are the responsibility of the hirer. All required welding work is to be carried out by the hirer.
Does the price include assembly, travel and accommodation costs?
The hirer arranges and is responsible for suitable accommodation and transport for Baars employees from arrival to departure on the basis of Sliedrecht/Sliedrecht. On arrival at the location, the daily rate then applies until departure. Any expenses incurred outside the Netherlands will be charged on the basis of actual costs.
Where on deck should the winches be placed?
The equipment must always be placed on underlying frames and/or bulkheads. If in doubt, ask Baars.
How do I operate the winches on deck?
The winches are connected directly to the hydraulic power unit (HPU) and can be operated by radio remote control.
Operating winches Baars
Remote control for winches and HPU
Is extra deck protection necessary?
If a crane is used on deck, dragline planking is recommended to protect the deck.
modular pontoon with crane and wooden matrasses
What deckload can the pontoon handle?
The deck strength of the inland pontoons is 6 tonnes/m2. Seagoing pontoons have a deck strength of 12 tonnes/m2. The deck strength can be increased easily using wooden matrasses.
What oil does the hydraulic system use for the hydraulic power unit (HPU)?
Mobil DTE-25 or equivalent (ask the oil supplier).
What should I do if there is something wrong with the rented property?
If the property does not function properly, you can contact our service department 24/7. The telephone number is +31 184 415566.
Jack-ups
What is the difference between a modular jack-up and a modular container pontoon?
A modular jack-up is a modular container pontoon that is certified to function while jacked up above the surface of the water. Jack-ups are primarily used in tidal zones to provide a stable working platform.
The spud poles on a modular container pontoon provide anchorage and stabilisation, and rise and fall with the water level. A modular container pontoon is never used for work above the surface of the water.
Jackup 6′ Baars
modular container pontoon with spudlegs
Does Baars supply the stabilisation calculations?
On request, for an addition charge Baars can provide stabilisation calculations.
Have the Jack-ups been certified?
Yes, the jack-ups are certified for 5 Nautical Miles (6′ Jack-up) and 20 Nautical Miles (9,5′ Jack-up).
How does the coupling system of the Jack-up work?
The Confloat coupling system consists of separate parts that are placed ahead of time in the pontoons to be coupled. The coupling is a ‘nut and bolt’ connection consisting of a special high-quality bolt, a guide cylinder for the bolt, and a nut. These parts have to be placed in such a way that when the work pontoon is assembled, the guide cylinder with the bolt inside it corresponds to the nut in the adjacent pontoon. For every side to be coupled, there are twelve (12) possible positions: three (3) in a row in each corner. During coupling, as soon as the bolt is lined up with the appropriate nut, this bolt is inserted in the nut and immediately tightened with an impact wrench. Once the pontoon is configured in this way, each bolt pretensioned to 210 kN using a torque wrench. This creates an immovable and practically seamless whole, which is capable of absorbing great dynamic loads.
coupling system for container pontoons Baars
What oil does the hydraulic system use for the hydraulic power unit (HPU)?
Mobil DTE-25 or equivalent (ask the oil supplier).
What is the payload of a jack-up?
Payload is the load capacity of a jack-up, or in other words, the weight it can lift in addition to its own weight.
Do I need to have a jacking engineer on board?
Yes, there must be a barge master or jacking engineer with maritime experience on board.
What transport can be used for modular pontoons/ jack-ups?
That depends on the work location. If the work location is a lake or landlocked body of water, the only possibility for transport is trucks. For non-landlocked bodies of water, the modular work platform can also be delivered by water. In that case, the most economical means of transport will be offered.
Transport possibilities modular container pontoons (jack-up)
Who assembles/disassembles the modular pontoons/ jack-ups?
Assembly/disassembly is arranged by Baars and charged at actual costs. Instructions or installation of the hopper/split/elevator barge is arranged by Baars and charged to the hirer. This is accomplished as follows:
Engineer: €… per calendar day of no more than 12 hours, overtime pro-rated.
Baars sends 2 engineers to provide further assistance. All costs are charged as actual costs, plus 10%. This includes the cost of travel tickets, all costs outside the Netherlands, visas, hotels, food and drinks, transport etc. These costs are the responsibility of the hirer.
What needs to be present at the work location for the assembly and disassembly of the jack-up??
The hirer must ensure that Baars has access to a safe work location, a crane, electricity and an air compressor with sufficient capacity of at least 3.5 m3 per minute. All these costs are the responsibility of the hirer. All required welding work is to be carried out by the hirer.
Does the price include assembly, travel and accommodation costs?
The hirer arranges and is responsible for suitable accommodation and transport for Baars employees from arrival to departure on the basis of Sliedrecht/Sliedrecht. On arrival at the location, the daily rate then applies until departure. Any expenses incurred outside the Netherlands will be charged on the basis of actual costs.
Is extra deck protection necessary?
If a crane is used on deck, dragline planking is recommended to protect the deck.
Jack-up 6′ Baars
What should I do if there is something wrong with the rented property?
If the property does not function properly, you can contact our service department 24/7. The telephone number is +31 184 415566.
Mooring Systems
‘10T on first layer’—what does that mean?
This means that the winch with 1 layer of cable on the drum can pull 10T; the thicker the cable layer, the less its strength (force x arm).
How is the marine equipment mounted to the deck?
Usually, the deck equipment is welded to the deck when the pontoon is built. In case of road transport, the bollards are often welded to the deck at the shipyard.
All equipment is supplied with welding plates underneath. These are to be welded to the deck. Baars can do this or we can provide instructions.
Where on the deck should the winches be placed?
The equipment must always be placed on underlying frames and/or bulkheads. If in doubt, ask Baars.
How do I operate the winches?
The winches are connected directly to the hydraulic power unit (HPU) and can be operated by radio remote control.
remote control to operate the winches
What is the holding power of the anchors?
The holding power of an anchor depends on the composition of the soil. In the best case, an anchor with high holding power will have a holding power of roughly 10x its own weight. For instance, our 2-tonne Flipper Delta has a holding power of 20 tonnes.
What should I do if there is something wrong with the rented property?
If the property does not function properly, you can contact our service department 24/7. The telephone number is +31 184 415566.
Conditions
When does the rental period start?
The rental period commences when the rented property leaves Sliedrecht.
When does the rental period end?
The rental period ends when the rented property is returned to Sliedrecht or another location to be determined.
What kind of rental contract is used?
We use the BIMCO BARGEHIRE 2020.
Does the barge need to be insured?
In principle, the charterer takes out both hull insurance and personal injury. This is common because according to the BIMCO rental contract, the charterer becomes the temporary owner.
In some cases, we make arrangements as Baars Charter. Please request for the actual insurance rates .
How long is the rental period?
The rental period can vary in length starting at 1 week. For a rental period of 2 weeks or less, we charge EUR 500.00 per barge for preparation expenses.
Can the rental period be extended?
The rental period is stated in the BIMCO BARGEHIRE contract. The hire ends at such time as the rented property is returned to Sliedrecht. If the hire is longer than the stated period, it is silently extended at the rate specified in the contract
What does on/off hire of the barges and modular pontoons mean?
Beforehand, an inspection is performed by an independent survey agency (on hire). When the barge is returned, there is another assessment by the independent survey agency (off hire). Loss or damage that occurred during the intervening time is recovered from the hirer. The hirer receives a report describing the cost of the inspection and repair costs. Photos of the damage can be sent on request.
Who performs the on/off hire of the hopper barges?
The BIMCO 2008 contract states that the Owners and Hirers jointly accept and appoint an independent survey agency. The standard agency is Expertisebureau van Rees BV, qualified marine surveyors. The on hire survey and off hire survey take place in the harbour or delivery location.
May the charterer be present at the on/off hire surveys of the rented property?
Yes, but no party may exert influence on the independent surveyor.
What does it mean that survey costs are divided equally between hirer and owner?
The survey costs are payable jointly by both parties and are shared 50/50 %
May I perform repairs myself?
Repairs may only be carried out in consultation with the owner.
What should I do if there is something wrong with the rented property?
If the property does not function properly, you can contact our service department 24/7. The telephone number is +31 184 415566.
What are slipway costs?
The vessel is brought into dry dock by 2 carriages that slide on rails. These carriages are let down under water. Then the barge is positioned over them. When they are in the right place, the carriages are pulled up on the rails, so the barge is dry-docked and its underside is exposed for inspection.
What are preparation costs?
Normally, we tow the hopper/elevator/split barge out of the harbour and moor it at the unloading quay where it is inspected once more.
The preparation costs are EUR 500 per barge for a hire period shorter than 2 weeks.
What is the applicable law?
The laws of the Netherlands are applicable for both rental or sale agreements.
Who is responsible for maintenance during the contract?
The charterer is responsible for maintaining the equipment during the contract period.
Is subleasing permitted?
Subleasing is not permitted.
Is it the case that on hire afloat also means off hire afloat, even though split barges go off hire on the slipway?
No, a split barge always goes off hire on the slipway, because the rubber cargo hold seal is the most important part of the split barge. When the split barge has been on the slips for its previous off-hire, it doesn’t need to go back on the slips for a new on-hire. Of course, this is in consultation with the hirer, owner, and surveyor. The hirer is responsible for slipway costs.
Is a hire-purchase arrangement possible?
Yes, a hire-purchase arrangement is possible with Baars.
Where can I read the conditions for assembly and disassembly in the contract?
These conditions are in het BIMCO BARGEHIRE contract that is provided with the rental and must be signed by owner and charterer.
What are the payment conditions?
The price is stated in Euros per week. The rental amount is tabulated per week on the basis of 5 or 7 days. The payment must be paid two weeks in advance. The payment period is within 21 days of invoice date.
Do you have another question?
You can always contact our Sales Department:
Bert Advocaat, Rianne Reuvekamp en Marjo Ritmeester
