On March 6th, the 25,000 cubic meter class ultra-large self-propelled trailing suction hopper dredger, independently designed and developed by China, was successfully launched, officially entering the stage of wharf mooring construction. This vessel is China's first ultra-large self-propelled trailing suction hopper dredger to adopt a distributed pump cabin design, marking a significant advancement for China in the field of high-end dredging equipment.
Designed by the 708 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, this dredger is equipped with specialized equipment such as high-power underwater dredge pumps and ultra-wide drag heads for deep-sea sand extraction. It boasts a maximum dredging depth of 120 meters and a hopper capacity of approximately 27,580 cubic meters. Its comprehensive energy efficiency and operational economic indicators have reached internationally advanced levels. Unlike traditional dredgers, a self-propelled trailing suction hopper dredger has its own power system and does not require tugboat assistance, enabling it to independently perform long-distance, multi-point dredging operations. Its drag head equipment can conform to the seabed, loosening and then suctioning silt and sediment into the hopper. It is suitable for engineering fields such as deep-sea sand extraction, dredging of coastal deep-water port channels, land reclamation, and coastal maintenance.
In terms of intelligence, this dredger is equipped with a new-generation intelligent monitoring and integrated management platform independently developed by China. Utilizing "digital human" technology, it enables ship safety perception, early warning, and round-the-clock monitoring, significantly enhancing operational safety and efficiency. According to the plan, the vessel is scheduled to be completed and delivered in the second half of this year. Once operational, it will significantly enhance China's competitiveness in the international high-end dredging market and provide crucial equipment support for marine resource development, port construction, and ecological protection.
