Damen delivers customized Cutter Suction Dredge to Brazil

The CSD350 has been designed to dredge inland waters at a dredging depth between 1 m and 9 m below water depth

Damen Shipyards has just shipped a fully customized Cutter Suction Dredge (CSD) 350 to Brazil. The standard dredge was adapted to meet Brazilian Naval requirements and received additional options requested by the customer.

Damen carried out the job very quickly. from contract signature to departure from the Port of Antwerp in just under four months.

The CSD350 is the first stationary dredge Damen has delivered to Brazil. Many countries – Brazil not being an exception – have their own regulations for outfitting vessels and the standard suction dredge from stock was adapted accordingly. Moreover, the customer, Construtora Vale Verde, ordered a number of options. These included a non-return valve in the discharge pipe line, a wedge piece for shallow water dredging, Damen remote monitoring system along with a navigation package for maximising safety on the job.

The CSD350 has been designed to dredge inland waters at a dredging depth between 1 m and 9 m water depth. It is fitted out with a 55 kW cutter head for breaking up compacted soils, and the in-board dredge pump is powered by a 447 kW diesel engine. For transport purposes, the dredge can be fully dismounted – quite practical considering that its first dredge job will be located some 500 km from its port of arrival, Vitoria.

The dredge left Damen Dredging Equipment in Nijkerk, the Netherlands on five trucks – one for the main pontoon, one for both side pontoons and spuds together, one for the suction ladder and one for the separate container shipping, the operating cabin and various smaller items such as the navigation mast.

The dredge arrived in Brazil at the end of October, where it will be swiftly assembled by Damen, Vale Verde and engineers from local agent Endratech.