The first marine aggregate dredger, the CEMEX Go Innovation, will be used to extract sand and gravel from the seabed at up to -55mtr.
Damen says that MAD vessels are intended for durable operations in North Sea conditions - with particular attention paid to sustainability, safety and performance. The design has been developed as a collaborative effort between various companies within the Damen Group, as well was with external partners.
More on Damen Shipyards Group: 1937 classic sailing ship back in action
During the ceremony, CEMEX Marine fleet engineering manager Mark Williams (pictured, centre) carried out the traditional welding of coins under the vessel’s hull – in this case a British Pound, Dutch Guilder and Romanian Leu, in honour of the regional base of the client, home country of the shipbuilder and location of the shipyard respectively.
Damen’s regional director Frank de Lange said: “This is an important milestone in the construction of this, the first new Marine Aggregate Dredger. We are very much looking forward to the coming construction and to delivering the vessel to CEMEX next year – and also to seeing CEMEX GO Innovation in action, demonstrating her strong credentials.”
The keel-laying is the first to take place since Damen began the operational management of the shipyard now known as Damen Shipyards Mangalia in July this year. The yard, on the Black Sea coast, has three drydocks with a total length of 982mtr, including one as wide as 60mtr, and 1.6km of berthing space.
In total Damen Shipyards Group operates 35 shipbuilding and repair yards worldwide, employing some 12,000 workers.
The traditional welding of coins under the vessel’s hull