Take a leap to a new simulator experience in the dredging world

By using breakthrough technology and combining experiences of dredge masters and trainers, our affordable and portable Simulator can be used to train (new) operators locally. Targeting production improvement what results in saving fuel and time on the real job!

Deep knowledge of dredging

Profound knowledge of the dredging process, dredging equipment and an extensive network within the industry.

Realistic simulation

The simulator is renowned for its realism, replicating the dredging process as realistic as can be.

automation

Usage of high-end maritimised hardware in combination with simulation software modules.

Portable

Programmable hardware results in smaller simulators and superior user friendliness.

Affordability

By using standard hardware and in-house developed applications, the costs are kept to a minimum.

training operators

With this simulator operators learn to find the limits of the equipment and to maximize the performance.

Designed By Professionals

The three parties jointly operate under the name “Dutch Dredging Simulators”. Each company has its specific expertise. MSA-Service is a well-known automation & control company supplying equipment for dredgers and offshore wind equipment. Controllab is specialized in the design of simulators for the offshore industry and has extensive knowledge of realistic simulation of machinery and drive systems. DE klop has the dredging equipment knowledge and experiences.

In June 2023, Dutch Dredging Simulators delivered the portable Cutter Dredging Simulator to the Adani Group. Adani has successfully put the simulator into use. CEO Adani Dredging says: “It is extremely important for our group to train new- and experienced- operators to explore the limits of the Cutter in a simulation environment. If this were to happen in the real environment, these boundaries would hardly be experienced, because the consequences of crossing these boundaries would cost too much time and money to repair the damage. It is therefore extremely efficient to learn this behind a simulator, so that you can then use the dredger as optimally as possible in the real environment. The actual CSD is also not occupied to provide training. In the future, more and more money and time will be invested by Adani in simulators and training .”

“As a Dredging Company specialized in hydraulic dredging, we used the Dutch Dredging Simulator as a technical ingenuity on a big event last Summer in East Anglia, United Kingdom. A lot of interested people on the exhibition felt attracted to the lifelike simulator and many of them wanted to practice a bit. The audience’s reaction was mainly positive and sometimes even a little bit surprised because of the completeness and surplus of technical highlights on the CSD Simulator. I am convinced, this equipment can be used for educational purposes teaching your personnel. But you can also use it inspiring and convincing new clients and also as a marketing tool to familiarize people with the typical process of hydraulic dredging!”

Go beyond anything you will ever experience.

By using standard hardware, the costs are reduced. The software has been developed in-house. The result is a system that simulates all relevant aspects in detail. From start-up, to cutting the soil and pumping the sand-water mixture. The operator practices operations and learns how different conditions and settings influence the performance of the dredger.

Press release

New dredging simulators strengthen education

On Thursday, September 4, 2025, five advanced dredging simulators were officially inaugurated at the Shipping and Transport College (STC) in Rotterdam. Thanks to an investment from the O&O Fund Waterbouw and the commitment of the maritime education institutes, we are taking a major step forward for vocational training and the future of the dredging industry.

With these simulators, we are bringing real-life practice into the classroom: students can simulate realistic dredging situations in a safe, sustainable, and instructive environment. This way, we optimally prepare the next generation of dredging professionals for the challenges of tomorrow.

Key highlights:

3 fixed simulators and 1 mobile simulator for STC in Rotterdam
1 fixed simulator for Nova College (IJmuiden/Beverwijk)
The mobile simulator is available to all maritime education institutes in the Netherlands
Developed by Dutch Dredging Simulators (DDS): Controllab, DE Klop B.V., and MSA-Service

This milestone has been made possible through close collaboration between education, industry, and sector organizations. Together we invest in education, innovation, and partnership – building a strong, agile, and future-proof dredging sector.

During the inauguration, Sven Tump (STC) and André Kik (on behalf of CEDA) shared their vision of the future: well-trained professionals are the key to meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities ahead.

As DDS we are proud to present this smart collaboration for smart education – and for a sustainable future in dredging.