Extensive spare parts packages and operator training has also been arranged. Back in 2008 Damen also supplied 4 dredgers of the same types, which now all are operating to the Ministry’s full satisfaction at various locations in Iraq. The cutter suction dredgers will be used to clean-up and maintain neglected waterways, rivers and lakes. The dredgers can work at a maximum dredging depth of -12m respectively -14m and are able to pump 3.000 m3/h resp 4.000 m3/h of mixture per hour. The dredged silt can be re-used on the fertile plains in central Iraq.
The dredgers of standardised and proven design were built at Damen production facilities in The Netherlands, Poland and Dubai. Due to Damen’s philosophy of series production and delivery from stock, the first dredger left the shipyard for Iraq within weeks after contracting. All dredgers have meanwhile been transported to Iraq by road – each dredger requires 9 trucks for its transport.
This project was executed by Damen in close cooperation with their partners Dutch Union Trading (DUT). DUT has arranged for efficient re-assembly and re-commissioning of the modular dredgers after arrival in Iraq. Further DUT also provides warranty services and technical and operational assistance to the Ministry of Water Resources. This successful cooperation will enable the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and Iraqi lakes to be dredged and maintained more efficiently in the near future.