Dredging plant

Home Otago harbour Dredging and inshore disposal Dredging plant

Otago harbour

Port Otago’s dredging plant consists of two dredges – the Takutai and New Era – and two split hopper barges – Hapuka and TR Healy.

In December 2024, a joint venture was announced between Napier Port and Port Otago, whereby the two regional ports will build and purchase a $36m state-of-the-art trailing suction hopper dredge from Dutch shipbuilders Damen Shipyards.

Read full media release: Napier Port and Port Otago partner to build $36m dredge

Dredges

The Takutai

Maori translation: “Coastline”

  • Dredge type: Backhoe
  • Dredging depth: Down to 17.5m below water level
  • Weight: 730t
  • Built: 2014, in Poland
  • Port Otago ownership: Purchased for $8m in 2018, from France

New Era

  • Dredge type: trailing suction hopper dredge
  • Dredging depth: Down to 15m
  • Hopper capacity: 850 m3
  • Weight: 1175t displacement
  • Built: 1985, in Port Chalmers
  • Port Otago ownership: Designed and built by Port Otago’s predecessor, Otago Harbour Board

Barges

The two split-hopper dredges work in conjunction with the Takutai. The Takutai fills each barge with dredging material from the Otago Harbour and a tug tows the barge out to one of our designated dredging disposal sites. The two barges “tag team”, allowing the Takutai to work full-time, as one barge is being filled, as the other is being towed out to sea to be emptied.

Hapuka

Maori translation: “groper – a large heavy-bodied fish with a big head and wide mouth found in warm seas”

  • Barge type: Split hopper
  • Hopper capacity:  750 m3
  • Construction: Steel
  • Built: 1975 in Australia

TR Healy

  • Barge type: Split hopper
  • Hopper capacity: 620m3
  • Construction: Aluminium
  • Built: 2012 in Auckland