Dredge Yard secures CSD ECO 300 contract from Sri Lanka LDC

Dredge Yard says that it has won, together with Hoavel Holdings (sole agent in Sri Lanka), an order for a standard Cutter Suction Dredger ECO 300. CSD ECO 300 will be used by Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) for a governmental project of cleaning the Beira Lake in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Representative Hovael Holdings confirmed that Dredge Yard was chosen to deliver this dredger, because “SLLDC tender technical specifications were successfully complied with the ECO 300”.

Dredging project
Beira Lake is a man-made shallow body of water located in the city centre of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Due to its central location, the Beira Lake has become vital for a variety of residential, industrial, commercial, tourism and religious activities.

Problem/case
Due to its central location and use for a range of activities, the Beira Lake also suffers from pollution. For example, the lake is exposed to hard detergents and pollutants from hotels and hospitals either directly or indirectly connected to the lake. In addition to this, in certain areas, the sewer lines are illegally connected to the storm water lines, which causes waste water to enter the lake.

According to SLLDC, waste water and pollutants accumulate over time, which has resulted in poor water quality for the last three decades. Water pollution negatively affects both – the surrounding environment, and the lake ecosystem. Representatives at SLLDC added that this is “especially relevant during the dry season, where lower fresh water in flux and higher temperatures cause increased bioactivity in the lake, resulting in algal blooms, fish kills and bad odour around the lake”.

Dredging
The main purpose of Beira Lake dredging is to improve the water quality by removing accumulated waste water and pollutants. This will restore a healthy environment in and around the lake. In addition to this, the lake will also be deepened to improve access and navigation for boats, to maintain the efficiency of commercial activities.

“We are proud to provide a tool for the maintenance of such an important water body in Sri Lanka. Cutter dredger ECO 300 will help to improve the water quality and environment, as well as contribute to Sri Lanka’s successful commercial and industrial activities” says Basel Yousef, Chief Executive Officer, Dredge Yard.

Cutter Suction Dredger ECO 300 specifications and delivery
Dredge Yard’s standard Cutter Suction dredger ECO 300 model was supplied with additional features according to the requirements of SLLDC. Yet, the standard, shallow draft CSD ECO 300 model is an ideal tool for Beira Lake dredging, which has an average water depth of 2 meters. Furthermore, its compact design will allow easy transportation to the centre of Colombo.

The dredger will be assembled and tested in Dredge Yard facility in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In addition to the dredger, the order includes 15 saddle type hose floats and a 100 meter HDPE pipe. Finally, Dredge Yard will provide 10 days of training to three Hovael engineers in dredger ECO 300 assembly, operation and maintenance in Rotterdam, Netherlands.