Damen Delivers Dredgers via Dampier to Onslow W.A.

Damen has recently shipped two vessels, a Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) and a Multi Cat 1506, from Damen Shipyards Changde, China through Shanghai to Dampier, Western Australia. From there Damen’s client, Maritime Constructions, based in Port Adelaide, South Australia, arranged the road transport to Onslow 314km West of Dampier. Joyce Krane of Karratha, also in Western Australia, handled the lifting of the two vessels from the onward delivery and during assembly.

The CSD, being a modular design, was shipped in sections. The spud carrier, added to increase the dredging production on this project, was transferred from Damen stock in the Netherlands. Damen Dredging in the Netherlands also supplied extra dredge pumps, gearboxes, couplings and other parts. From these, Maritime Constructions has constructed three extra booster stations needed to pump the material over the maximum distance.

Upon arrival, a Damen Field Service Engineer supported the client with the assembly of the dredger. The CSD, named Pilbara Sawfish after a local endangered species, then started dredging.

Maritime Constructions has been awarded the contract to carry out capital dredging works for the Onslow Marine Support Base Channel Dredging project, which will see the modification and expansion of the Beadon Creek Harbour Approach Channel, Swing Basin and Berth Pocket. This involves the dredging and reclamation of up to 950,000m3 of sediment. Pilbara Sawfish has since dredged 700,000m3 of an abrasive mix of coarse sand, shell, cobbles and gravel and the Onslow project is shaping up nicely.

Featured Title photograph The vessel, already in the customer’s company colours, being assembled on the quay side in Onslow, W.A.

The Pilbara Sawfish has been assembled on location in Onslow, adding the spud carriage pontoon.

The Dredger ready for action near the assembly site

Source Damen Shipyards Group