Damen launches Marine Aggregate Dredger for Hanson
On 11 th September, Damen Shipyards Group launched a Marine Aggregate Dredger (MAD) 3500 at its Galati yard in Romania, the company said in its release.
Damen is building the MAD for UK-based Hanson. The company will use the vessel to conduct offshore aggregate extraction in water depths up to -55 metres in the North Sea and English Channel. The MAD was successfully launched, despite the impact of the coronavirus during this critical stage of production. To ensure the safe continuity of its business operations around the world, Damen has taken numerous measures at its yards and offices.
Sales manager Joppe Neijens explains, “Throughout the pandemic our number one priority has been the safety and wellbeing of our personnel, our co-workers and the communities in which we work. However, by combining a robust approach to safety measures with coordinated team work, we have been able to continue production. The measures we have taken include strict hygiene and disinfection routines, and the establishment of shift teams to ensure maximum distance between people working, whilst at the same time keeping to schedule. The project team and yard have done a great job. Together they have taken the necessary measures to keep on track with minimal loss of time. In this way, we are able to maintain our support to our clients.”
Damen’s MAD range applies innovative maritime engineering to ensure safe, comfortable operations even in adverse conditions. Safety is further enhanced by the positioning of all dredge pipes above main deck. The equipment itself is protected by the MAD’s enclosed bow. The MAD 3500 model specifically aims at achieving the optimal balance between payload and efficiency within the limited dimensions required for the vessel to traverse the Shoreham Lock on the English south coast. Following the launch, Damen will complete work on the vessel, to be named Hanson Thames, and afterwards undertake commissioning, including of dredge equipment and screening installation from Damen Dredging Equipment in the Netherlands and a dry unloading system from PLM Cranes.
Damen Shipyards Group operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 13,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,500 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers around 175 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality. Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology. Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts. For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, winches, anchors, anchor chains and steel works. Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating (and covered) drydocks, including the longest, 420 x 80 metres, and the widest, 405 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.
