Hydraulic dredger helps Elbe development

Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) explained that the 200t floating crane vessel Baltic Lift was used to carry the hydraulic dredger with a multi-tool to identify objects and remove them from beneath the water. For optimal safety, all objects are recovered remotely.

Christian Jonas, site manager dredging at HPA, said: “We’ve never used anything as big as this in these kind of water depths or as extensively as we’re going to use this one.”

The multi-tool combines several tools in one unit. “One of them is a big dredger which can flush out material. Another is a grip used to grab hold of objects and if that object is not some old ordnance but something like a steel girder then the multi-tool can remove the object,” said HPA.

The multi-tool was developed specifically for the work to adjust the shipping channel. This is the first time HPA has used the technology in the port.

Before the hydraulic dredger was used the dredging area was scanned using echo technology and any ordnance identified and removed.

By Rebecca Jeffrey