Posted on August 24, 2026
At DE Klop, we are currently working on a major upgrade of the Rotterdam 26 (CYGNUS 500), a project we are carrying out together with Dekker Groep.
This substantial extension will enable the fully electric cutter suction dredger to operate at increasingly greater dredging depths. The first phase will increase the maximum dredging depth to 30 metres, followed by a further extension to 50 metres in the next phase. This will place the Rotterdam 26 among a select group of cutter suction dredgers worldwide capable of operating at such depths.
The modular design of the CYGNUS 500 makes this transformation possible. The submerged dredge pump unit will be positioned further down the ladder, the ladder gantry will be relocated to a new forward pontoon, and the existing spud system will be replaced by a wire-based positioning system with three winches. These smart modifications allow maximum use of the existing components while creating a powerful and flexible dredging installation.
A cutter suction dredger also offers clear advantages over a plain suction dredger. The cutter enables even compacted sand to be efficiently loosened and pumped, while at the same time achieving a much more accurate and even seabed profile. This makes the Rotterdam 26 particularly suitable for projects where both production and final seabed quality are critical.
After the summer, the upgraded Rotterdam 26 will be ready for a new generation of dredging projects.
This project demonstrates that innovative vessels can not only be designed for the future, but can also continue to evolve throughout their operational lifetime. The close cooperation between Dekker Groep and DE Klop shows how smart engineering combined with practical experience can lead to sustainable innovations with a long service life.
We would like to thank Dekker Groep for their trust and the excellent cooperation, and we wish the crew many safe and successful operating hours with the upgraded Rotterdam 26.
Together, we are building the next generation of sustainable dredging solutions — 100% designed and built in the Netherlands.
