Dredging simulator with Dutch roots

Three companies that have earned their stripes in the maritime sector are developing a dredging simulator. This simulator is portable and affordable.

Arnold den Boon, spokesperson for the three companies: “Dredging is a critical process. A lot of mistakes can be made and the risks are high, which is why it is common practice to use a simulator for larger dredgers. In this way, the operator can ”dry exercise”. However, the current simulators available on the market are expensive and voluminous. That creates a high threshold for buying a simulator. We felt that it should be possible to make a simulator more transportable ,cheaper and still realistically mimicking dredging operations. And it worked."

By using standard hardware, the costs are reduced. The software has been  developed in-house. The result is a system that simulates all relevant aspects in detail. From start-up, to cutting the soil and pumping the sand-water mixture. The operator practices operations and learns how different conditions and settings influence the performance of the dredger.

Three parties
The three parties jointly operate under the name “Dutch Dredging Simulators”. Each company has its specific expertise. De Klop bv has profound knowledge of the dredging process, dredging equipment, and has an extensive network in the dredging industry. MSA-Service is a well-known automation & control company supplying equipment for dredgers and offshore wind equipment. Controllab is specialized in the design of simulators for the offshore industry and has extensive knowledge of realistic simulation of machinery and drive systems.

“By combining our expertise, we can offer a simulator for a good price. With this simulator operators learn to find the limits of the equipment and to maximize the performance. This results in a higher production and lower fuel costs. And this is recognized in the market: a customer in India has already placed an order,” concludes Arnold den Boon.

More information about the portable dredging simulator can be found here.