The giant Boskalis backhoe dredger Magnor arrived in Dublin Bay on Saturday morning (26 September), passing the Baily Lighthouse before entering Dublin Port.
The specialist dredging vessel, one of the largest backhoe dredgers in the world, was photographed approaching the port with tug assistance as she began her mobilisation in Irish waters.
Magnor is designed for precision dredging work, with a large hydraulic excavator mounted on a spud-rigged pontoon. Unlike trailing suction hopper dredgers, which collect and transport material using suction systems, backhoe dredgers excavate seabed material mechanically using a bucket.
The Boskalis vessel is capable of dredging to depths of around 32 metres and uses a bucket with a capacity of up to 40 cubic metres, making it suited to demanding marine construction and port maintenance projects.
The exact scope of Magnor’s work in Dublin has not yet been confirmed, but her arrival comes as Dublin Port continues dredging and marine infrastructure activities.
Afloat understands the vessel arrived from Holyhead and is expected to begin operations in the Dublin Port area.
