The Baku Shipyard is making waves with its latest project: the construction of Azerbaijan’s first Damen Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 650. Designed and outfitted by the Damen Shipyards Group, this dredger is poised to play a vital role in the maintenance and growth of the Port of Baku, one of the Caspian Sea’s busiest transport hubs.
This marks a significant milestone for the Baku Shipyard, a facility known for its diverse portfolio of vessel builds. The CSD 650 represents uncharted territory for the yard as its inaugural cutter suction dredger. With all steelwork meticulously crafted onsite and adhering to Damen’s design specifications, the construction underscores the shipyard’s capability to handle complex projects. The materials package provided by Damen included essential components such as the dredge pump and operating cabin, requiring eleven trailers and two 40-foot containers to transport.
The CSD 650 is engineered for precision and efficiency, featuring a modular design with a main pontoon and detachable side pontoons. It operates at depths ranging from 3 to 18 meters, powered by a 700 kW cutter and a 1,825 kW dredge pump. Its 63-meter swing width ensures optimal dredging performance, making it an indispensable asset for maintaining navigational depths and port accessibility.
Alexander Shamray, Damen’s Sales Manager, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are very happy to work together with Baku Shipyard. The cooperation with the yard team is excellent, and that is reflected in the high quality of the dredger. The professional team has taken up the project brilliantly, and the quality of the output is impressive. We are delighted that the dredger is progressing the way it is, especially considering that it is the first that the yard has built. We are looking forward to the commissioning of the dredger and delivery to the Port of Baku.”
Dubbed the Engineer Soltan Kazimov, the dredger is destined for maintenance operations within the Port of Baku. Recent drops in the Caspian Sea’s water levels, combined with the port’s ambitious expansion efforts, have made dredging indispensable. Keeping berths accessible is crucial as the port continues to see increased traffic and evolving logistical demands.
The Port of Baku’s strategic location has transformed it into a regional logistics hub, connecting trade routes from China to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, while also serving as a link between northern Europe and the Persian Gulf. With the addition of the Engineer Soltan Kazimov, the port is better equipped to support its growing role in global trade.
