Massive dredger arrives in Dammam Port
Published: Aug 11, 2010 23:40 Updated: Aug 11, 2010 23:40
DAMMAM: A revolutionary new dredger that is currently in the process of being commissioned and undergoing sea trials at the King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam, is expected to significantly increase the capabilities of the Jeddah-based Huta Marine Works Ltd.
The Dutch-designed vessel is, in effect, a huge floating excavator that is technically known as Backacter 1100. Although classified as a dipper dredger with a Huta Marine designation of Huta 251, it is the most powerful marine excavator in the world.
The 66 meters long dredger displaces about 2,700 tons and accommodates a crew of 14. Its enormous bucket can scoop up over 30 cubic meters of material at a time at depths down to 22 meters.
The new vessel's operations are fully automated with the latest measuring, monitoring, positioning, controlling and logging instruments. The vessel can continue to operate even in heavy seas due to the unique barge suspension system.
Huta Marine is involved in an ongoing project to extend and deepen the entrance to the Dammam port. One of the company's fleet of large suction-cutter dredgers has been working on the project.
Huta Marine does work around the Arabian Peninsula in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf, and the massive steel support legs, called barge spuds, enable the Huta 251 to keep working in adverse conditions.
The dredger itself is a hybrid of Dutch technology and Chinese shipyard construction. The De Donge Group designed the Backacter 1100, and the custom floating platform was built in China. A special ship designed to carry massive marine constructions was used to transport the Huta 251 to the port of Dammam. The vessel actually submerges so that the barge floats free and then rises back out of the water.
Huta Marine is playing a vital part in developing the Kingdom's maritime infrastructure. In addition to the Dammam Port project, the company has also been awarded many contracts including the port in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, King Fahd Port in Yanbu and the Islamic Port of Jeddah.
The company already operates the largest fleet of integrated construction vessels in the Middle East, which includes 11 cutter-suction dredgers with an annual production capacity of 30 to 40 million cubic meters. Huta 251 is the latest addition to the fleet.
