The first of Damen’s new Marine Aggregate Dredger class, a 103.5 meter MAD 3500, has been launched at Damen Shipyards Galati (DSGa) in Romania.
The vessel, to be named the CEMEX Go Innovation, is the result of close cooperation between CEMEX UK Marine and Damen and represents the first of a new generation of efficient and economical dredgers specializing in the extraction of sand and gravel from the seabed.
The ceremony involved the full team from owner CEMEX UK Marine as well as representatives from Damen’s head office in Gorinchem, the Netherlands and Damen Shipyards Mangalia, Romania, where the build began in July 2018.
At the ceremony, Laurence Dagley, managing director, CEMEX Materials UK Southern , said: “It was very exciting to see our state-of-the-art dredger, CEMEX Go Innovation, and participate in the traditional launch ceremony with Damen. This is a ground-breaking ship that leads the industry thanks to the major environmental savings that it offers, its increased capacity and dredging depth, and its safety-enhancing external pipework. We look forward to the CEMEX Go Innovation arriving in the UK and beginning its work early next year.”
“ The cooperation between Damen and CEMEX UK Marine has been excellent ,” added Damen sales manager dredging for north, west and south Europe, Joppe Neijens.
“It has been a very smooth process and we have built the vessel together, using the original Damen MAD concept as the basis for a vessel optimized to meet the needs of CEMEX. They challenged us to meet their requirements and as a joint team we made it happen. This new dredger will differentiate itself from the current fleet and set a new standard in the industry. As such, the CEMEX Go Innovation represents the start of a new era. I can’t wait to see the vessel sailing.”
Following its launch and with much of the deck equipment, including the Damen designed and built screening installation installed, the MAD 3500 will complete its fitting out with commissioning due to begin at the end of the year, followed by delivery in the early spring of 2020.