Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled a comprehensive new design for its popular Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) range, firstly introduced in 2004. However, last year the decision was taken to completely overhaul the range and the result is a series of vessels that, while looking familiar, deliver the very latest in excellence in operations, sustainability and technology.
All design elements and components of the new CSD range have been reviewed using the feedback from Damen’s customer base, as well as the expertise from across the Damen Group and its suppliers. An advanced series of dredge pumps will deliver increased production and discharge distance. The latest CSDs have also been made as compact as possible so as to reduce transport costs. However, the advantage of the dredgers having a very large swing width is retained by maximising their length.
All the new models are transportable by road, while the largest vessel is optimised for towage. Additionally, the CSDs retain ample space for maintenance to take place, both above and below deck.
Extra features that reduce operational costs without any loss in performance include single main engines, except for the largest dredger of the series, which also has an auxiliary engine. A separate genset is installed on each model to supply electrical power without having to run the main engine. It also ensures a stable power supply for all electric users including the sensors, instrumentation and automation.
Damen’s next generation CSDs will have an extensive range of options to optimise each dredger for its project. The standard options are easy to fit or retrofit on a plug-and-play basis and the dredgers themselves are built for stock, ensuring the shortest possible delivery times.
