Trailing suction hopper dredgers

Trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs) are among the most efficient and versatile dredging vessels used in the maritime industry. These self-propelled ships play a crucial role in maintaining waterways, deepening harbours, and reclaiming land for coastal projects. The dredged material is transported in the hopper to a placement site usually at a distance from the work site. The material is discharged either through doors or valves in the hopper’s bottom or, in the case of a split-hulled vessel, out of the bottom when the hull is longitudinally split.

The material can also be rainbowed, that is, sprayed in a high arc placing it directly onshore or at the reclamation site. Rainbowing is often the best method for discharging huge quantities of sand in shallow locations close to shore, for land reclamation projects or beach replenishment. Since rainbowing does not require floating or submerged pipelines, boosters or landlines, it is often the most economical method. Their ability to remove and transport material with precision makes them an essential asset for dredging companies worldwide.

Trailing suction hopper dredgers for sale

Are you looking for a trailing suction hopper dredger to enhance your dredging capabilities? At Boogaard Brokers, we offer a carefully curated selection of trailing suction hopper dredgers for sale, ensuring that you get a vessel suited to your operational needs.

Our listings include a variety of TSHDs designed for different dredging applications, from small-scale maintenance to large offshore excavation projects. Browse our latest trailing suction hopper dredgers for sale and find the ideal solution for your business. 

What are trailing suction hopper dredgers?

A trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) is a self-propelled vessel that removes material from the seabed using a powerful suction system. These vessels are designed for large-scale dredging operations, including harbour deepening, land reclamation, and coastal protection. 

TSHDs feature one or more suction pipes with dragheads that extract material from the seabed. The dredged material is then stored in the ship’s onboard hopper, allowing for easy transport to a designated disposal site. This makes TSHDs highly efficient for projects that require large volumes of sediment to be moved. 

How do trailing suction hopper dredgers work?

A trailing suction hopper dredger operates by lowering its suction pipe to the seabed while sailing at a controlled speed. The draghead, located at the end of the suction pipe, loosens the sediment, which is then vacuumed into the hopper using powerful dredge pumps. 

Once the hopper reaches capacity, the dredger sails to a disposal or reclamation site, where the material can be: 

• Released through bottom doors for underwater disposal.

• Pumped through a discharge pipeline to a coastal or offshore location. 

• Rainbowed onto a beach or land reclamation site using a high-pressure jet. 

This process allows for precise dredging while minimizing environmental disruption.

The capabilities of a hopper dredger

A trailing suction hopper dredger is a multi-functional vessel that can handle various dredging tasks. These vessels are designed to operate in shallow and deep waters, making them suitable for maintaining ports, deepening navigation channels, extracting sand from offshore sites, beach replenishment where sand is pumped into the hopper and then placed onshore and capital dredging projects such as giant land reclamation projects that require millions of cubic metres of sand.

Key capabilities of a TSHD include: 

• High sediment storage capacity, allowing continuous dredging. 

• Advanced automation and GPS systems for precise dredging operations. 

• Self-propelled mobility, eliminating the need for additional towing vessels.

• Versatile disposal methods, including bottom dumping, rainbowing, and pipeline discharge.

Thanks to these features, TSHDs offer exceptional efficiency for dredging companies looking to maximize productivity. 

Why choose trailing suction hopper dredgers from Boogaard Brokers? 

At Boogaard Brokers, we take pride in offering a premium selection of trailing suction hopper dredgers tailored to the needs of the dredging industry. Our team provides expert guidance, ensuring that you invest in the right vessel for your projects. We provide:

• In-house expertise

• Market knowledge backed with an extensive database

• A commercial philosophy always aimed at customer's satisfaction

• Global covering

Explore our full range of vessels for sale and find the perfect trailing suction hopper dredger for your next project. 

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