Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd (KMEW) has launched ‘River Pearl 47’, the largest and deepest Indian-flagged, self-propelled backhoe dredger, at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) under a three-month contract awarded by Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCI).
The introduction of ‘River Pearl 47’ enhances the specialized dredging fleet of Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works and bolsters its ability to undertake intricate marine infrastructure and port development projects throughout India, as stated by the company.
With the incorporation of ‘River Pearl 47’, the company now operates a modern and technologically advanced fleet comprising 45 vessels, which includes three Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs) utilized for maintenance dredging, nine Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSDs) employed for channel deepening, and two Grab and two Backhoe Dredgers. ‘River Pearl 47’ is outfitted with a Japanese-manufactured Komatsu PC 2,000 heavy-duty excavator mounted on a hydraulically operated three-legged spud barge, which is powered by dual engines.
The Komatsu PC2,000 is classified as a 200-tonne hydraulic excavator, specifically designed for rigorous dredging, mining, and large-scale infrastructure tasks. The excavator, sourced from abroad, was integrated with the spud barge at Mumbai Port by KMEW Group engineers, ensuring the stability and structural integrity of the barge.
The backhoe dredger is equipped with a 1,000 BHP engine that provides exceptional hydraulic performance, while its various boom and arm configurations allow for dredging depths ranging from 4 meters to 30 meters below the water surface. Its bucket capacity varies from 1.75 cubic meters to 12 cubic meters, depending on the configuration, and it boasts high cycle efficiency for quicker and more accurate dredging operations.
The project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority entails dredging approximately 10,500 cubic meters of rock at the coastal berth operated by JM Baxi Ports Logistics Ltd, with the aim of increasing the water depth in the vicinity to 11 meters overall and 12 meters in front of the 275-meter-long berth.
