Transport by trailing suction hopper dredger or barge

3 Transport by trailing suction hopper dredger or barge Principles 

Once the hopper well of a THSD or barge has been filled with material, it will sail or be towed to the point of discharge. Several options exist for unloading the vessel  

The point of discharge may be the designated fill area but can also be a re-handling pit from which the material is dredged again by, for instance, a cutter suction dredger and pumped to the reclamation. 

The sailing route of the TSHD or barge may be an important factor in the overall production and, hence, the dredging cost. When choosing the sailing route the following aspects must be taken into account  

Depending on the local situation (such as bathymetry, tide and currents), only partially loading the vessel and thus reducing the draught might be cost effective. 

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