Damen dredger 'Karamara' starts operating in Nigeria
A new Damen CSD500 has started an impressive job in Nigeria. It is to clear a 52 km long stretch of a river, to improve accessibility of an inland transshipment port. The delivery of a complete Damen dredging package gave the project a flying start, the Damen Group's press release said.
The Karamara has been acquired to increase the accessibility of a fuel stock site. This site is located on a riverbank in Akwete, Nigeria, some 52 km from the open sea. Barges transport various types of fuel from the open waters to this bunker site where it is stored for resale. The current navigable depth of the river causes problems in the logistics as it is no more than 1.5 m. The full length of the supply line is to be deepened to 5 meters – an impressive job.
The Karamara is a standard Damen cutter suction dredger, type CSD500. It has been fitted out with a number of standard options, including anchor booms, a jib crane, navigation lights and BV class approval. The delivery included Damen survey instrumentation for monitoring the progress of the job. Moreover a set of spare parts as well as commissioning and training on site are included.
The CSD500 has been shipped partly dismantled to Nigeria to facilitate transport. After assembly in the port of arrival the cutter suction dredger has been towed to its current location, some 40 km east of Port Harcourt. The Damen Field Service Engineers arrived with the dredger to train the crew in maintenance duties and dredging; a Damen dredge master is present to explain and train the crew on the full dredging process to maximize dredging efficiency.
The project had a flying start as within days the full lay-out of the site including the floating pipe line was ready for action. And action has been taken: the first dredging surveys are done and the CSD500 is eating its way through the sand banks. All for a safe and swift journey of the fuel barges.
