UAE-based NMDC Group held a ceremony in Nantong, China, marking the inauguration of its new CSD, Abu Al Bakhoush, a heavy-duty cutter-suction dredger that is self-propelled.
The vessel was built by Jiangsu Haixin Shipping Heavy Industry. It adds to a fleet of more than 170 vessels and, according to NMDC, will strengthen the group's ability to deliver projects of significant scale and complexity in international markets.
Abu Al Bakhoush measures 148 metres in length and can dredge to a maximum depth of 38 metres. Its cutter is rated at 7.8 MW, and total installed power is 30,040 kW.
NMDC said its design enables rock cutting and accurate excavation of trenches, navigation channels and harbours.
"The Abu Al Bakhoush significantly strengthens our dredging capabilities, combining high installed power with the heavy-duty rock-cutting capabilities required for some of the most demanding marine environments," said Niels de Bruijn, CEO of NMDC Dredging & Marine.
NMDC ordered the dredger in January at a price of AED618 million ($168.3 million). The keel was laid on January 28.
The company linked the order to a growing backlog across multiple jurisdictions.
The backlog includes a $610.1 million dredging and reclamation contract in Manila Bay, which is NMDC's first project in the Philippines.