Video: Dredgers at Work in Latin America
A major port in Latin America is in the midst of an expansion project to increase its container handling capacity and accommodate Post-Panamax vessels.
Commissioned for this project are two Ellicott cutter suction dredges, which are both currently at work deepening the berthing area for the new terminal.
The first Ellicott dredge, a Series 370 with a 300 x 250 mm pump and 328 kW of total installed power, has been working at this port for over six months. Joining the 370 is a Series 670 dredge, with 350 x 350 mm pump and 597 kW of total power. Ellicott captured aerial footage of the 670 Dragon dredge at the project site, viewable here.
Ellicott describes the 370 and 670 as portable, yet also powerful, rugged and reliable – suited for all types of dredging applications including port dredging.
Traditionally, port expansion projects such as this one utilize larger trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHD) or other self-propelled dredging vessels, Ellicott explained. However, in certain cases, smaller, portable cutter suction dredges are a better solution due to their portability, availability, high production and relatively low cost. These advantages of a portable cutter suction dredge also apply to port maintenance dredging, especially when dredging has to be performed on a regular basis.