Dredger upgrade

The TSHDs underwent complete modification at a dockyard in Dubai using dredge equipment designed and produced by Dredge Yard using the latest CAD technologies and production methods.

During the upgrade, a shore discharge line was installed on board along with a bow coupling system on the stern of each dredger. The new discharge line will allow the dredgers to offload the material through a floating pipeline that will be connected to the bow coupling. In addition, the bow coupling also has the option for rainbowing through a nozzle if required.

Various components supplied with the discharge line include hydraulic gate valves, a complete bow coupling with structure, dredge pipes and bends. In addition, all hydraulic cylinders for the bottom doors were replaced by Dredge Yard.

Dredge bow couplings allow the dredgers to couple and decouple the floating discharge pipeline in the fastest and safest way. Locking parts of the couplings were made of stainless steel and the wet parts were made of high wear resistant material to increase the life time of couplings.

The dredge valves supplied are all hydraulically operated with the gates made from stainless steel and an innovative rubber seal reinforced internally by steel rings.

Dredge Yard said the upgrade should result in increased dredging capacity enabling the operator to complete dredging works in shorter time periods and in a more cost effective manner.

By Anne-Marie Causer