SPI to build first dredger in Argentina from Damen component package

The Argentinian shipyard will build major components and assemble the dredger. The DOP Dredger 250 will be used to dredge underneath a floating dock, to keep it operational full-time.

The Argentinian ship builder SPI has an extensive yard in the bay of Mar del Plata. Beside building tugs, fishing vessels and barges, the yard also has a repair division. The 150-metre floating dock is in use round-the-clock for repairing local vessels. The DOP Dredger will be built by the yard – being the first locally built dredger in Argentinian history. The dredger will be operational early next year.

“We are happy to build the first dredger in Argentinian history. The dredger will ensure our independence so that we will be able to operate our floating dock more efficiently,” commented Ciceri, SPI’s purchasing manager.

The DOP Dredger, type DD250, is a standard dismountable dredger. The dredge has been designed to remove silt or sand from -2.5m to -15m dredging depth. It pumps some 1.250 cu m per hour using a Ø250 mm pipeline. The total installed power is 395kW. Shipped in only a few containers will be the operating cabin, the power pack, a jet pack as well as the various hydraulically driven winches.

The specific equipment - dredging pump, accessory equipment and control equipment - will be provided by Damen. Damen's engineers have worked together with SPI's engineers in a modified version designed on a standard equipment base, which reach the shipyard´s needs and allows them to keep their lifting equipment at 100% of its operational capacity, making business more efficient.

The modular construction of the DOP dredge enables easy transport by road. SPI is planning to relocate the dredger regularly to their other two shipyards, being Campana Port – some 80 km north of Buenos Aires and the 2,00 0km-south Caleta Paula shipyard, for the maintenance of another yard including floating dock.

Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.