A partnership formed by Netherlands-based companies Dutch Dredgers and the Dekker Group have begun development of a new type of dredger optimised for sand and gravel extraction and capable of autonomous operation.
Dutch Dredgers said the new dredger was developed to address the need of sand and gravel companies to open new extraction sites amid the difficulty posed by regulations, space limitations, and environmental challenges.
Key features of the new dredger include fully autonomous operation with only minimal human intervention; deep-dredging capability allowing sand and gravel to be extracted from greater depths; and energy-efficient systems that help reduce environmental impact.
The dredger will also be made available in multiple configurations to suit each customer's unique requirements. The standard configuration will consist of two pontoons to also permit operation across a range of shallow-water areas.
The partners expect that deep-dredging using the new vessel and similar others will become a viable approach due to limited opportunities for opening new extraction sites.