Paraguayan civil engineering group selects modular dredger solution

The Costanera Sur project is intended to create a 7.5 metre embankment to mitigate recurrent flooding along the southern bank of the Paraguay River. Mr Francisco J. Griño, Vice President of T&C explains, “We are very proud to be taking part in this project, which is contributing significantly to the sustainability and economic prosperity of Asunción. As well as keeping the city safe and dry, the barrier will enable a better circulation of traffic, facilitating better trade in the capital and generally improving the quality of life.”

The project has a sharp deadline; all sand relocation works, including dredging, have to be finished within two years. In total 9 million m3 of sand will have to be dredged. “We purchased the reliable Damen dredger to be able to meet our strict deadlines,” Mr Griño explains. The total project is scheduled to take five years and is dependent on the timely production of sand. The CSD500 will boost our dredging capacity. We are proud to be involved in such an important development in our country.”

Damen is able to deliver the dredger to this landlocked location due to its modular design. The dredger will be shipped to Montevideo, Uruguay, before being transhipped via river barge up the Paraguay River. Upon arrival, Damen’s team will assemble the fully dismantled dredger and provide training to the crew in its use. The company has customised the CSD500 using modular options. In this case, Damen is adding, amongst other things, anchor booms, a spud carriage pontoon and a deck crane.

Damen notes that T&C is a new client for the group. Over the last few years, the shipbuilder has opened a number of markets in South America, selling dredgers in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and now Paraguay.