Damen inks contract for advanced aggregates dredge

Written by Marine Log Staff
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Vessel features enclosed bow

Damen Shipyards Group and Southampton, U.K., based Hanson Aggregates Marine have signed a contract for construction of a Marine Aggregate Dredge (MAD) 3500 vessel.

The ship will be used to extract aggregates offshore up to depths of 55 metres, for use in the onshore construction industry.

Due for delivery in March 2021, the vessel will be constructed in Damen’s shipyard in Galaţi, Romania. The dredge equipment and screening installation will be constructed by Damen Dredging Equipment (DDE) in Nijkerk, Netherlands.

Hanson U.K. is a leading supplier of heavy building materials to the construction industry, and produces aggregates (crushed rock, sand and gravel), ready-mixed concrete, asphalt, cement and cement-related materials. Hanson’s marine business is Europe’s largest producer of marine-dredged sand and gravel. It owns a purpose-built fleet of six aggregate dredges distributing aggregates from a network of wharves.

The MAD 3500 design achieves the optimal balance between payload and efficiency within limited dimensions and is well suited to operate within the dimensions of Shoreham lock on the English south coast.

Although the lock limits the vessel’s overall length to approximately 103.5 m, it has a deadweight of just under 6,800 tonnes and a speed at loaded draft of approximately 12.5 knots. Its length and width offer the optimal amount of cargo space to achieve maximum transportation efficiency on each passage through the lock.

The dredger will be used to extract aggregates in the English Channel and North Sea, aided by a number of special features specific to its innovative design, including a 1,400 kW permanent magnet electric motor, which powers the dredge pump for collecting aggregates at up to 55 m depth.

This particular vessel will also feature a dry unloading system built by Damen’s partner PLM Cranes BV.

The MAD 3500 is the latest vessel in Damen’s series of newly designed and recently launched specific marine aggregate dredges. The application of innovative marine engineering technology allows the vessel to function impressively under heavy weather conditions without compromising comfort or crew safety. 

The bow is enclosed to protect deck equipment, all dredge pipes are situated above main deck level for safety, and the modular construction of the DDE dredge systems allows easy replacement of parts on the piping and screening installation.

“A great deal of market research and modern engineering went into the development of the MAD series,” says Joppe Neijens, Damen sales manager. “These vessels are ideally equipped to bring aggregate dredging fleets into the 21st century. It’s a privilege to provide Hanson with a product we trust will enhance their future operations, and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration with Hanson in the future.”

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