November 25, 2025
While traditional methods struggle, innovation takes the lead. Beneath the ocean's turbulent surface, a quiet revolution is underway in deep-sea excavation technology. Japan's Kojimagumi Corporation has unveiled the "GOSHO," a colossal clamshell dredger that represents a quantum leap in underwater construction capabilities.
This engineering marvel replaces conventional wire rope systems with advanced hydraulic cylinder technology, enabling precise control and unprecedented digging force. The vessel's 200-cubic-meter capacity bucket can move massive amounts of material in single operations, achieving what was previously considered impossible in deep-sea environments.
Equally impressive is its ability to handle bedrock with hardness exceeding SPT100, overcoming limitations that have long constrained underwater construction projects. Whether dealing with solid rock, dense clay, or complex mixed strata, the GOSHO delivers consistent performance where conventional dredgers fail.
The vessel's hydraulic drive system functions as its powerhouse, delivering both brute strength and surgical precision in bucket movement. This technological symphony is complemented by an ingenious counterweight balancing system that reduces energy consumption to just 60% of traditional winch-driven dredgers.
Sixteen 60mm-diameter steel cables connect counterweights to the bucket assembly, with vertical hydraulic cylinders orchestrating their movement. This equilibrium-based design means the system only expends energy on the actual excavated material, not the bucket's massive weight itself.
Modernization extends to the GOSHO's intelligent systems, featuring underwater positioning technology that maintains millimeter accuracy even in zero-visibility conditions. Automated controls minimize human intervention while maximizing safety and productivity - operators can execute complex excavation sequences from the comfort of control rooms.
The vessel's patented horizontal dredging system further enhances operational precision, establishing new benchmarks for underwater construction accuracy.
Departing from conventional three-pole configurations, the GOSHO's dual-pole positioning achieves stability while enabling rapid relocation - completing moves in just 3-5 minutes. This nimbleness is compounded by anchor-free operation capabilities, allowing safe deployment in congested port areas where traditional vessels cannot function.
The GOSHO represents more than technical achievement - it reimagines what's possible in underwater construction. From port development to channel dredging and subsea tunnel projects, this vessel's combination of power, precision, and efficiency establishes new industry standards.
Kojimagumi Corporation's century of marine engineering expertise culminates in this technological tour de force, demonstrating Japan's continued leadership in heavy industrial innovation. As global demand for underwater infrastructure grows, solutions like the GOSHO will prove increasingly vital in unlocking the ocean's potential.
