BUILDING THE FUTURE: DREDGING WITH NATURE

Looking back over the last few decades, there are pivotal moments that have revolutionized the development and maintenance of US waterways.

With a focus on ecological preservation and maintaining vital environmental habitats, developments within the sector must seek to not only support infrastructure development, but find more effective and efficient ways to maintain bodies of water and their varying needs. From reservoirs and estuaries, to ports and harbors, each has a unique set of varying and complex needs, which demands a delicate balance of management to help ensure all life sources can thrive.

TIAMAT: Revolutionizing dredging with hydrodynamic technology

Haven Dredging was incorporated in early 2023, following years of trials of a new maintenance dredging solution by Harwich Haven Authority – the UK’s largest port, spanning over 150 square miles, with 40% of the country’s container traffic. Tiamat, a hydrodynamic maintenance dredging solution, was developed to reduce the environmental impact of maintenance dredging and to integrate seamlessly into traditional dredging practices, whilst significantly reducing the cost of the activity.

Photo courtesy of Haven Dredging

A groundbreaking development, Tiamat harmonizes with natural processes, by using the power of nature to maximize its performance. It is a submersible modular dredging machine that consists of a towable unit which can be attached to most workboats, such as a multicat or workboat, using an A-frame and a crane. Tiamat utilizes hydrodynamic technology to pump water into the seabed, with another pump to extract the sediment, which is then released back into the central water column and naturally dispersed by tidal movements. By “Dredging with Nature” sediment is reintroduced into the water column at the right depth, without causing excess turbidity or impacting water quality. This process also encourages self-replenishment of the sediment through the natural re-suspension in the marine environment.

Additionally, by removing the need for sediment disposal at sites further afield, Tiamat lowers the environmental footprint of dredging activities and therefore the associated costs. This approach supports broader sustainability goals, heightening Haven Dredging’s commitment to reducing carbon footprints and achieving net-zero emissions.

The use of Tiamat also significantly reduces operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting Tiamat’s efficiency and benefits to vital marine ecosystems, as well as the bottom line for businesses.

SEE TIAMAT IN ACTION: https://vimeo.com/1030069627

Integration within traditional practices

While Tiamat introduces an innovative approach, it also addresses a significant challenge in the US market – the limited availability of suitable dredging vessels, which often increases the cost of dredging practices.

Traditional dredging is essential for maintaining navigable waterways but faces challenges such as high emissions and sediment disposal issues, as well as by having very specific equipment needs.

Tiamat acts as a complementary solution working alongside traditional methods to enhance effectiveness and performance, thanks to its adaptability to work with most maritime workboats and vessels. By integrating into existing dredging practices, Tiamat is introducing sustainable dredging practices, whilst reducing the overall project costs and improving the availability of dredging plant.

Photo courtesy of Haven Dredging

Tiamat is also proven to work alongside current dredging campaigns, whereby its performance during maintenance dredging reduces the need for Trailing Suction Hopper Dredging (TSHD) campaigns, thanks to its ongoing, effective work. In the UK, HHA has been able to reduce its TSHD outlay from six campaigns to three campaigns a year, with an average saving of around £1.5 million per campaign.

Meeting diverse waterway needs

Tiamat’s versatility has been designed to ensure it suitable for multiple marine environments, from calm reservoirs to dynamic estuaries and harbors. When considering reservoirs and dams, Tiamat’s gentle sediment resuspension helps maintain water quality and capacity without disturbing aquatic ecosystems. In estuaries and coastal areas, it supports the replenishment of habitats such as marshes and wetlands, which are crucial for biodiversity and coastal protection. This adaptability ensures Tiamat can meet the unique needs of different water bodies, offering a tailored approach to dredging.

Validating Tiamat’s effectiveness

A recent report discusses the feasibility of Tiamat working in the US, which showcases the versatility and effectiveness of Tiamat in various dredging applications in the region. Of particular interest is the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which makes it a suitable tool for the US West Coast, where strict air emission regulations limit the use of traditional dredgers. Tiamat could also address major siltation issues in US reservoirs, facilitating sediment bypass and downstream movement with natural outflows, thus maintaining dam efficiency and reservoir capacity.

Marsh and wetland restoration could be another potential use case for the US, offering a cost-effective solution that avoids the need for pipeline placement and supports natural sediment settling without disrupting existing flora and fauna. Whilst its use near open water with strong natural flows and long-distance placement sites will also yield positive results.

Building resilient, future-proof solutions

Haven Dredging and Tiamat are at the forefront of building resilient and future-proof dredging solutions. By integrating traditional practices with cutting-edge technology, it is setting new standards for the dredging industry. With Tiamat’s ability to adapt to various environments, combined with its focus on ecological preservation, makes it a key player in the future of waterway management in the US.

Photo courtesy of Haven Dredging

In conclusion, Tiamat highlights the potential to ensure it meets the diverse needs of different water bodies in a natural method, whilst preserving valuable marine ecosystems. Tiamat offers port authorities and dredging companies a cleaner and greener method of maintenance dredging in the marine environment, that is easy to deploy, adaptable and at a lower cost.

For more information on Haven Dredging and Tiamat please visit www.havendredging.com.

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The appearance of or reference to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. government does not imply or indicate endorsement by any of these entities.