![MaritimeJournal[Seawork]](https://www.maritimejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MaritimeJournalSeawork.svg)
CSDs in demand in Azerbeidzjan
Damen Dredging Equipment has delivered two cutter suction dredgers to Caspian Marine Services (CMS), which chose a CSD450 as it was available for immediate shipping and a CSD500 because the side pontoons could be made locally.
The owner of the dredgers provides ship operating services in the Caspian Sea. CMS has formed an alliance with SOCAR, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, which owns various ports and yards in the Baku area. The dredgers will deepen the mooring areas along the quays of these ports, which serve the oil and gas industry. The cutter suction dredger of type CSD450 was built at the Damen yard in Poland. CMS bought the vessel when it was nearing completion at the end of 2008. After trials, the cutter suction dredger was transported by boat over the river Wolga to Baku. The immediate delivery and transport was of vital importance as the winter was about to close in and ice would block the inland shipping route completely. Upon arrival at Baku, the dredger was assembled on the quayside and hoisted into the water by means of the crane on board a large pipe laying vessel.
The cutter suction dredger of type CSD500 was built at the Nijkerk yard in the Netherlands. CMS opted for the slightly larger vessel because of its higher output of solids and because it was still in production. This enabled CMS to opt for locally built side pontoons, which was good for the local partner yards.
The dredger was handed over to CMS for onward shipment last month. It has been provided with additional full time accommodation and features fresh and grey water tanks to save the Caspian Sea ecosystem. The dredger was due to arrive in Baku early this month.
