Posted on January 22, 2018
The end of the year was busy and successful for
Ellicott Dredges, with important new orders from all corners of the world.
North American Award
The New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC) which runs the New York State Canal System has once again selected Ellicott to supply its latest dredge, to be named the “HD-7.” The new dredge will be delivered and placed in service mid-year 2018. The new dredge will have an 18” (450mm) pumping system, double shell fuel compartments, and onboard personnel facilities. It will be designed specifically to move beneath low clearance bridges during tow. Most Americans are familiar with the song lyrics, “Low bridge, everybody down!” made famous by Erie canal mule handlers as they worked the tow paths in years past. The low bridges are still there!
Advanced GPS positioning and non-nuclear production meter system will provide the operators with the latest in technology and dredging efficiency.
The New York State Canal System comprises four historic waterways: the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego, and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles (850 kms), the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River. Maintenance of the Canals’ chartered channel depths ensures safety for canal users and enables shippers to realize fully the Canal System’s potential of commercial shipping.
While portions of the waterway were first used by Native Americans in the 1700’s, the most famous section, the Erie Canal, was authorized in 1817. After the US Federal Government refused to help pay for it, New York State decided to proceed on its own though detractors labeled it “Clinton’s Folly” or “Clinton’s Big Ditch” after its biggest promoter, NY Governor DeWitt Clinton. Completed in 1825 at a cost of US$7mm, it generated over $120mm in tolls by 1880.
The Canal had massive economic impact–reducing freight costs between New York and the American Midwest by as much as 90%, and greatly expanding trade. In order to maintain navigable depths throughout the canal system the State of New York owns and operates a fleet of hydraulic dredges and work boats. For decades the NYCS has purchased Ellicott dredges and updated older equipment using Ellicott machinery.
African Hydroelectric Dam Authority Buys Dredging Equipment
After an international tender, an African electric utility has awarded Ellicott a job for dredging equipment which will be delivered in 2018. The dredging equipment will be used for desiltation to maintain electrical generating capacity.
Asian Order
In association with Kharnaphuly Shipyard of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Inland Water Authority (BIWTA) has selected Ellicott for a proposal for designs and machinery for ten dredgers, five 18” (CSD 450) and five 20” (CSD 500.) The dredges will be classed according to BV Coastal. All ten dredges will be delivered in 2018.
South American Order
Ellicott has just delivered from stock at year-end a Series 1270 Dragon cutter dredge to a marine contractor in South America, who will use the machine for flood control dredging near Buenos Aires.
European Order
Penultimately, an Ellicott unit sold a custom electric sand and gravel mining dredge to a client in Germany.
Australian Order
Last but certainly not least, Ellicott delivered in December a small dredge for a Queensland copper mine waste water treatment plant, in a repeat order.
These sales from all over the world have demonstrated not only Ellicott’s global reach, but its ability to deliver multiple types of solutions to various dredging applications. Ellicott enters 2018 with a very busy order book.
Ellicott is the leading provider of innovative dredging systems and solutions to meet their customers’ needs. For more information, please contact sales@dredge.com.
Source: Ellicott
