Damen Announces New Electric Cutter Suction Dredge
Damen Shipyards Group, based in The Netherlands with 36 shipbuilding and repair yards around the world, has announced completion of its first Electric Cutter Suction Dredger (ECSD) 650. The new all-electric dredge has a pipe diameter of 650 mm, equivalent to just over 25 inches.
The ECSD 650 drives its dredge system, including the cutterhead and dredge pumps, with electric motors, making it possible to have zero emissions on projects. The electric motors also significantly reduce noise and vibrations, making it ideal for projects in densely populated areas and in environmentally sensitive areas.
“The ECSD is just one example of the products and services that Damen is pioneering as we fix our focus on our goal to be the most sustainable shipbuilder,” said Sjoerd de Bruijn, sales manager for Damen. “Our role in this is not just to build electric vessels. As integrator, we provide the connection, linking and aligning stakeholders from industry and academia. In this way, we build a knowledge network that encourages the wider development of sustainable solutions and ensures the long-term viability of the maritime industry.”
According to Damen, the ECSD 650 is completely modular, making transport and assembly possible even in the most remote areas. Aboard Damen’s conventional CSD 650, rear pontoons simply provide buoyancy for the vessel, while aboard the ECSD 650, the starboard side pontoon houses the vessel’s electrical nerve center. Instead of using hybrid technology, with electricity from diesel generators, the ECSD 650 connects to the shoreside power grid.
“This can be a renewable energy source such as a hydropower dam or solar field,” said Saskia den Herder, sales manager for Damen. “What is most important is that the connection is direct—no losses through batteries, no ‘dirty’ diesel engines, etc. The ECSD has been designed in such a way that the full dredger is standard, only the type and execution of the transformer, located at the aft starboard pontoon, is adapted to the characteristics of the local energy source.
“This means that the complete dredger remains standard and of proven design, can be delivered fast, and full customization is simple,” den Herder added.
The ECSD 650 weighs about 550 tons, has a total installed power of 3,035 kw., offers a dredging depth of 18 meters, and can dredge up to 7,000 cubic meters per hour. The dredge fits within Damen Shipyards Group’s E3 umbrella—environmentally friendly, efficient in operation and economically viable. Besides the ECSD 650, Damen has also delivered seven fully electric ferries to the city of Copenhagen, Denmark, with two fully electric ferries on order to operate in Ontario, Canada. The company is also building six hybrid ferries to operate in British Columbia, Canada. Damen also has on order the world’s first fully electric ship-handling tug, which will provide 70 tons of bollard pull. That vessel will be delivered to the Port of Auckland, New Zealand.
In all, Damen has delivered more than 6,500 vessels to more than 100 countries. On average, the company delivers 175 vessels per year.
