On Saturday 24th July 2010 the scale model (1:50) of the powerful self-propelled ocean going rock cutter dredger ‘D’Artagnan’ was formally handed over by DEME’s C.E.O. Alain Bernard to the Panama Canal Authrorities (ACP) during a ceremony in the Miraflores Locks Visitor Centre. The scale model will be permanently exhibited in the most interesting official Visitor Centre exhibition, that is open to the general public on daily basis in the Miraflores Locks building, which is located at the Pacific Entrance side of the Panama Canal.

With a total installed power of 28,000 kW, the ‘D’Artagnan’ is one of the most powerful ocean-going rock cutter suction dredgers in the world. The vessel was commissioned to DEME in the last quarter of 2005 and has been employed since on numerous complex projects requiring dredging of hard material throughout the world. The ‘D’Artagnan’ has also been one of the very strong assets enabling DEME company Dredging international to be awarded by ACP the contract for widening and deepening of the Panama Canal at the Pacific Entrance and recently as well the new contract for widening and deepening the Norther Reaches of the Gatun Lake Channel.