Damen Delivers Dredger to SCA
Damen Shipyards Gorinchem delivered the Cutter Suction Dredger “10th of Ramadan” to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).In 2002 the contract for delivery of the design, materials, components and building supervision was signed. Port Said Shipyards, a shipbuilding department of the Suez Canal Authority, was appointed to build the vessel. Engineering started immediately after contract signing. After finalizing the engineering, a committee of the Suez Canal Authority came to the Netherlands to inspect the drawings. After carrying out the required amendments in the drawings, the purchase of steel kits, equipment and systems followed.
After inspection by Bureau Veritas (BV), the steel materials for the construction of the hull were supplied at the end of 2002. Shortly after Port Said Shipyards received the goods, plates were cut. The hull has been built and certified in accordance with the relevant rules of Bureau Veritas for cutter suction dredgers.
During the hull construction period, inspectors of Suez Canal Authority and BV checked three other batches of equipment in the Netherlands, which were shipped directly afterwards to Port Said. Just after completion of the hull construction, the dredger was launched. Prior to the launching, outfitting had already started. All further outfitting took place at the outfitting quay of Port Said Shipyards.
The design of the vessel is such that most compartments are of compact size. Especially in the engine room it was quite a challenge for Damen and for Port Said Shipyards to fit all equipment in such a way that it can be maintained easily. The final result satisfied all requirements of the Suez Canal Authority.