The President of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, inaugurated the land reclamation for the Kulhudhuffushi Airport development and the newbuild dredger Mahaa Jarraafu yesterday, during his visit to the island.
This trailing suction hopper dredger, belonging to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), was designed and built by Royal IHC yard in Qidong, China.
The dredger is the largest in the Easydredge series of standard twin-screw trailing suction hopper dredgers, with a length of overall 92.95 meters and a hopper capacity of 3.700m³ per load.
In addition, the vessel has an equipment package which includes an adjustable overflow, bottom doors, jet water system and a shore pumping installation.
Following the inauguration, the recently delivered dredger started its first job, the land reclamation for Kulhudhuffushi Airport project.
According to MTCC, “Mahaa Jarraafu” is expected to complete this MVR 53.4 million land reclamation project within 180 days.
MTCC also confirmed that under the project, the vessel will reclaim an area of 8 hectares (86,113 square feet) from the large clay pond and another 5 hectares (53,196 square feet) portion from the shoreline adjacent to the pond will be reclaimed for the project.