The first of Damen’s new Marine Aggregate Dredger class, a 103.5-metre MAD 3500, has been launched at Damen Shipyards Galati (DSGa) in Romania. The Cemex Go Innovation represents the first of a new generation of efficient dredgers specialising in the extraction of sand and gravel from the seabed.
Building began in July 2018 at Damen Shipyards Mangalia. This carried on to the start of this year when the vessel was transferred to Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania, for the final stages of the project.
MAD Design
The design is the result of a close cooperation between Cemex UK Marine and Damen and aims at the aggregates industry which is faced with an aging fleet of vessels and an increased focus on marine activity. The MAD concept revolves around safety, efficiency, minimal environmental impact and crew comfort. At the same time, it must achieve maximum uptime in a work environment that places great stresses on a vessel and its equipment.
Additional features of the new vessel intended to maximise productivity and minimise maintenance include good seakeeping for both crew comfort and all-weather operability, and an enclosed bow to protect deck equipment and reduce green water ingress into the cargo hold. All the dredge pipes are situated above main deck level for safety as well as easy inspection and crane reach, and the modular construction of the Damen designed and built dredge systems ensures quick and easy replacement of worn parts on the piping and screening installation. The MAD 3500 has a hopper capacity of 3500 cubic metres.
Spring Delivery
Following its launch and with much of the deck equipment, including the Damen designed and built screening installation installed, the MAD 3500 will complete its fitting out with commissioning due to begin at the end of the year, followed by delivery in the early spring of 2020.
