Shipping a Dredger

Dredging is the term meaning to take material underwater (bottom), and transfer it to another location within the same waterway or body of water - and it has many applications. It's also carried out by many different types of equipment, which fall into two main categories; either suction or mechanical dredging. You may have an auger suction system, bucket dredger, or backhoe dredger - or one of the other styles (1).

Types of Dredgers

Dredgers are built for sediment removal, which can be a combination of silt, debris, mud, clay, plants, and soil contaminants, in shallow or fresh waters. These sediments are removed to increase depth, ease navigation for boats, barges, water jets, and vessels on channels, canals, and waterways, enhance fishing, and replenish sand washed by erosion on beaches and seas.

A dredger's uses also include environmental dredging, wet excavation projects, the creation and construction of new harbors, docks, piers, ports, and bridges, removal of contaminated sedimentation and pollutants from sea beds and shorelines, reclamation of areas damaged by oil spills, in gold and coal mining, and for maintenance dredging.

Dredgers are built based on the specific functions they are expected to perform therefore they fall into two major categories: mechanical dredgers and hydraulic dredgers.

Mechanical dredgers

They work based on the principle of "hand-packing". They are fitted with a bucket or grab to pack up dredged material (earth) from a water body or seabed for deposition at a designated disposal site.

These include the buckets (bucket dredgers and bucket ladder dredgers) as well as grab dredgers, backhoe dredgers, suction hopper dredgers, cutter suction dredge (CSD), etc.

Hydraulic dredgers

Materials are picked by the suction inlet in a suspension form, powered by a pumping system that raises and feeds them through the suction pipe to outlet pipes. These dredgers are most suitable to move fine materials as heavy gravels are difficult to move by suspension.

Trailing suction hopper dredger, Profile or plain suction dredger, cutter suction dredger (bucket ladder dredger)

OTHER DREDGERS

Other types of dredging machines include jet-lift dredgers and air-lift dredgers, augur suction dredgers, land reclamation dredgers, vacuum and pneumatic dredgers, dipper dredgers, amphibious dredger, clamshell dredger, water injection dredger, plough, and bed leveler. Some of the notable parts of a dredger are chain, blade, spuds, cutter head, archimedean screw, etc.

Shipping Your Dredge

The exact type, size, and weight of your particular dredging equipment - will determine the best way to transport it. Built to float in shallow water, most dredges will need substantial dismantling prior to shipping. However, if your dredge can be floated to a traversable waterway, it's possible that over the water transport will be possible.

Though your dredge may be able to travel under its own power, this is often not feasible - as they're built to navigate smooth and shallow waters. Dredges are also often painfully slow, when attempting to traverse long distances.

We Have Many Options Available

Submersion boat transport may be an option, where a boat is guided over a transport ship that's just below the water. Once the dredge is safely in place, the submersion transport empties the water in its ballast tanks, and rises to the surface - with your dredge now in place on its deck.

Over-the-road transport

Other transport options may be appropriate instead, especially if you'll be scrapping your dredge for parts or need parts brought in for repairs. Over the road transport for this scenario, will likely be the most economic and efficient solution.

Relevant Statistics

• The global dredge shipping industry is responsible for transporting over 2.5 billion metric tons of goods annually.
• Approximately 87% of all dredge shipping operations occur in coastal areas around the world.
• The average size of a dredge ship is around 150 meters in length, capable of carrying up to 50,000 metric tons of cargo.
• Dredge shipping contributes to roughly 15% of all international trade by volume.
• Over 95% of the world's largest ports rely on dredge ships to maintain navigable waterways and harbor depths.

General Facts

• Dredge shipping is a method used to transport sediments, rocks, or debris from one location to another using specialized ships called dredgers.
• Dredge shipping plays a crucial role in maintaining navigable waterways by removing sediment buildup and ensuring safe passage for ships.
• Dredgers typically use suction pipes or buckets to extract material from the seabed or riverbed and transfer it onto the ship.
• The dredged material can be used for various purposes, such as land reclamation, beach nourishment, or construction projects.
• Dredge shipping can improve water quality by removing contaminants and pollutants from the bottom of water bodies, promoting ecosystem health.

A Customized Transport Plan

A1 Auto Transport can create a custom transport plan for your precise needs and equipment, and then execute it in a timely and professional manner. Our more than two decades of experience transporting large, heavy and oversized machinery make us the logical choice. We offer full-service options like loading and unloading on site, as well as bonus features like satellite tracking. We can help you ship all kinds of dredgers from one state to the other in the U.S. and across international boundaries.

We look forward to speaking with you about your land and maritime transportation needs for your heavy equipment. Call today to get a free no-obligation quote, from one of our friendly moving experts.

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