Bühler GmbHSailors SocietyPort of South LouisianaCimbriaTMS Awards 2023TBA Group
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • TBA Group
  • Sailors Society
  • Bühler GmbH
  • Telestack
  • Port of South Louisiana

Damen aggregates dredger launched

Damen aggregates dredger launched

(Posted on 08/08/19)

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 vessel, to be named the CEMEX Go Innovation, is the result of close cooperation between CEMEX UK Marine and Damen and represents the first of a new generation of efficient and economical dredgers specialising in the extraction of sand and gravel from the seabed.

The ceremony involved the full team from owner CEMEX UK Marine as well as representatives from Damen’s head office in Gorinchem, the Netherlands and Damen Shipyards Mangalia, Romania, where the build began in July 2018. 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.

Damen and CEMEX have worked jointly on the development of the MAD 3500 from its earliest stages and the design is the result of extensive market research and customer consultation. As such, the CEMEX Go Innovation represents the start of a new era for an aggregates industry that is faced with an aging fleet of vessels and an increased focus on marine activity. The MAD concept as a whole has been designed around the need for 21st century vessels that can deliver safety, efficiency, minimal environmental impact and crew comfort. At the same time, they 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 excellent 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 3,500m³.

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.

Laurence Dagley, managing director, CEMEX Materials UK Southern, commented: “It was very exciting to see our state-of-the-art dredger, CEMEX Go Innovation, and participate in the traditional launch ceremony with Damen. This is a ground-breaking ship that leads the industry thanks to the major environmental savings that it offers, its increased capacity and dredging depth, and its safety-enhancing external pipework. We look forward to the CEMEX Go Innovation arriving in the UK and beginning its work early next year.”

“The cooperation between Damen and CEMEX UK Marine has been excellent,” says Damen sales manager dredging for north, west and south Europe Joppe Neijens,. “It has been a very smooth process and we have built the vessel together, using the original Damen MAD concept as the basis for a vessel optimised to meet the needs of CEMEX. They challenged us to meet their requirements and as a joint team we made it happen. This new dredger will differentiate itself from the current fleet and set a new standard in the industry. As such, the CEMEX Go Innovation represents the start of a new era. I can’t wait to see the vessel sailing.”

Damen Shipyards Group operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,500 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers around 175 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.

Latest News

Naples cargo operator invests in energy-efficient Konecranes Gottwald MHC

(Posted on 01/05/25)

Magazzini Generali Silos Frigoriferi (MGSF), part of the Klingenberg Group, has ordered a Konecranes... Read more


FuelEU Maritime compliance strategy is commercial priority, says OceanScore

(Posted on 28/04/25)

FuelEU Maritime represents a strategic headache for shipping companies on the same level as its technical... Read more


Wärtsilä upgrade to deliver emissions savings for Ulusoy bulk carriers

(Posted on 22/04/25)

Technology group Wärtsilä will upgrade the Wärtsilä RT-flex main engines... Read more


Steelpaint secures major order for application on 39 bulk vessels

(Posted on 22/04/25)

German coatings firm Steelpaint GmbH has secured a major order to supply its specialist Stelpant... Read more


BAR Technologies' WindWings a practical solution

(Posted on 15/04/25)

In the wake of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee... Read more


Orderbook for all dry-bulk vessel classes falls by 26% Y-o-Y in Q1

(Posted on 15/04/25)

Global economic uncertainty and a cooling of the market has seen newbuild orders for dry-bulk vessels... Read more


Alfa Laval expands its portfolio with NRG Marine acquisition

(Posted on 03/04/25)

Alfa Laval has completed the acquisition of UK-based NRG Marine, a leading provider of ultrasonic anti... Read more


MBF and ZESTA MoU to accelerate zero-emission shipping

(Posted on 03/04/25)

In a landmark moment for the global maritime industry, the Maritime Battery Forum (MBF) and the Zero... Read more


Bruks Siwertell Group announces leadership transition

(Posted on 31/03/25)

Bruks Siwertell Group has announced a leadership transition as Peter Jonsson steps down as CEO after... Read more


ClassNK issues AiP for OceanWings Rigid Windsail Type WAPS

(Posted on 31/03/25)

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a Rigid Windsail Type Wind-Assisted Propulsion... Read more


ViganGeneva DryVan AalstPort of StocktonTelestack

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping