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In fast-moving harbor currents or confined inland waterways, traditional dredging vessels often struggle to operate effectively. The Boskalis Backhoe Dredgers (BHDs) represent a specialized solution engineered for precisely these challenging environments.

A backhoe dredger is a stationary dredging vessel featuring a hydraulic excavator mounted on a pontoon. Designed primarily for shallow, enclosed waters, it delivers precision excavation across various seabed materials. Compared to conventional dredgers, backhoe models offer distinct advantages:

• Precision excavation: The hydraulic system enables millimeter-level accuracy in maintaining target depths and excavation boundaries, minimizing environmental disturbance.
• Adaptability: Excels in shallow waters and confined spaces like ports, docks, and canals where larger vessels cannot operate.
• Material versatility: Processes diverse seabed compositions including silt, clay, gravel, and even bedrock.
• Operational flexibility: Adjustable excavator angles and pressure settings accommodate varying geological conditions.

These dredgers stabilize using three spud legs that anchor the vessel during operations. Adjacent barges receive excavated material through a coordinated process: the excavator arm, stick, and bucket work in tandem to scoop material backward and upward. Upon filling, the bucket lifts clear of the water, rotates via the excavator's swivel mechanism, and precisely deposits material into the barge. Transport barges then deliver the sediment to designated disposal sites.

With approximately 18 backhoe dredgers deployed worldwide, Boskalis maintains industry leadership in specialized dredging operations. The crown jewel of their fleet, Magnor , holds distinction as the world's largest backhoe dredger.

This technological marvel boasts unprecedented specifications:

• Maximum depth: 32-meter excavation capability expands operational range
• Bucket capacity: 40-cubic-meter volume dramatically improves efficiency

Notable project applications include:

• Port maintenance dredging for safe vessel navigation
• Channel widening to enhance maritime trade capacity
• Land reclamation using excavated materials
• Subsea infrastructure support for pipelines and cables

• Maintaining navigable depths in ports and shipping channels
• Waterway rehabilitation in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
• Environmental remediation of contaminated sediments
• Underwater mineral extraction operations
• Hydraulic engineering projects including dam construction

The technology combines historical dredging expertise with modern engineering innovations, delivering customized solutions for complex marine projects. Advanced fleet capabilities ensure scalable responses to projects of varying scope, supported by global operational infrastructure.