Damen unveils Marine Aggregate Dredger

Comprising the Marine Aggregate Dredger (MAD) 4000 and 5600 vessels, the line was introduced in response to extensive market research and customer consultation, Netherlands-based Damen says, pointing out that the MAD vessels are aimed at an aggregate industry facing rising demand and an ageing fleet.
Designed in collaboration with compatriot Maritime Design and Engineering Services, the new vessels – with capacities of 4,000m³ and 5,600m³, respectively – will be able to work in North Sea conditions up to depths of 60m. This, Damen says, will allow operators to mine sand and gravel in deeper waters, farther from shore than preceding models.
“We’ve tailored the technical specifications of the designs to the port infrastructure in the region in which the dredgers will operate," remarked Olivier Marcus, Damen’s dredging products director.
Unlike traditional dredgers, the bow shape of the MAD vessels allows them to operate in adverse weather conditions, according to the company. In addition to improved seakeeping behaviour, the bow shape protects the sand and gravel cargo from green-water ingress.
The MAD vessels require no ballast water and their engines comply with IMO Tier III regulations, Marcus says.
Close attention has been paid to incorporating robust equipment for operations in harsh environments. "State-of-the-art" instrumentation provides feedback throughout the entire process. Upon arrival in port, the vessels’ fully automated clamshell system unloads the material onto a conveyer belt, Damen notes.
“With a single vessel you can do almost everything. You can go out, get the material, classify it, dry it and deliver it to location. It’s the first standardised design in the world with such a scope,” Marcus said, adding that the design also took into account the need for customisation and multi-role functionality.
“The vessel can be supplied with bottom doors if required – which will offer additional versatility in case it’s required to perform differing operations,” he said. “It can also receive spud poles, for example. And should the client wish to scale up at any point, the MAD 4000 can easily be converted into a MAD 5600 with a simple section addition.”