In May 2025, a harbor maintenance company in Abu Dhabi, UAE, completed a major upgrade – they used a YG-developed underwater dredging robot for the first time for dock dredging operations. Hassan, the project manager, commented: “Conventional equipment was difficult to operate, had poor underwater visibility and was inefficient. Since switching to YG’s robot, the workflow is clear and efficiency has increased dramatically.” With the advantages of intelligent control, underwater high-definition camera, and environmentally friendly operation, this equipment quickly adapted to the complex water conditions of the Gulf countries and won the customer’s trust.
This robot belongs to the typical Intelligent Dredging Robot, incorporating functions such as remote control, and is suitable for dredging tasks in ports, rivers, reservoirs, industrial pools, etc., with remarkable features such as intelligence, high safety and adaptability.
Underwater Dredging Robot Parameters
| Parameter | YG500 | YG600 | YG700 | YG800 | YG900 | YG1200 |
| Robot Dimensions (mm) | 1500*500*650 | 1500*600*650 | 1600*700*650 | 1600*850*700 | 1650*960*750 | 1900*1200*750 |
| Dredging Width (mm) | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | Suitable for large culverts |
| Travel Speed (m/s) | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 3–15 | 0–17 m/min |
| Pump Diameter (inch) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4or6 |
| Pump Flow (m³/h) | 100 | 100 | 160 | 160 | 200 | 250 |
| Pump Head (m) | 0–30 | 0–30 | 0–25 | 0–25 | 0–25 | 0–30 (Horizontal: 100–150m) |
| Hydraulic Station Dimensions (mm) | 2200*1200*1700 | 2200*1200*1700 | 2200*1200*1700 | 2200*1200*1700 | 2200*1200*1700 | 2120*1240*1200 |
| Main Motor Power (kW) | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 45KW (50KW) or Diesel 76KW (123KW) |
| Hydraulic System Pressure (Mpa) | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | 0–16 | Not specified |
| Particle Size (mm) | 15 | 15 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 0–40 (customizable) |
| Winch Speed (r/min) | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 | 0–10 |
| Pipe Length (m) | 30–50 Optional | 30–50 Optional | 30–50 Optional | 30–50 Optional | 30–50 Optional | 30m/pack, 20kg pressure resistant, optional |
| Control System | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote | Wireless Remote |
| Lighting System | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 | Underwater LED*2 |
The whole structure of the machine is made of anti-corrosion treated steel, equipped with automatic anti-tangling propellers, which supports stable operation in narrow places and places with large changes in water flow. Remote monitoring, operation path planning and operation record analysis can be accomplished through a single operation terminal.
Dredging in the UAE Harbor
Traditional Methods Face Challenges：
The client’s project involves a jetty in Abu Dhabi Harbor near the tank farm, where a large amount of sand and industrial residues have been deposited for a long period of time, which seriously affects the berthing of ships and the operation of the drainage system. The traditional dredging method mainly relies on manual diving and crane suction, which is high-risk, inefficient and costly to maintain.
In addition, the local climate is hot, the operation time is short, and the labor intensity of workers is high. Especially in areas with more pollutants, traditional machinery requires frequent maintenance and interruptions, slowing down the overall progress.
Hassan’s team tried to introduce European and American brands of industrial dredging robots, but the equipment was expensive and difficult to dock after-sales, so they finally chose YG’s domestic intelligent solution.
Targeted solution
High efficiency, safety and environmental protection：
After understanding the project requirements, YG’s technical team recommended the equipment to be equipped with a fully-closed electronic control system and low-noise hydraulic propulsion structure, which ensures that the equipment can operate without failures for a long period of time in high-temperature and high-salt environments. The built-in intelligent path planning function can automatically identify underwater obstacles and bypass them to improve operation continuity.
The customer reflected during the use: “The equipment runs smoothly and is easy to operate. What we used to need a team of 8 people to accomplish, we now only need 2 people to control the robot.” This kind of environmental sludge cleaning robot can avoid secondary pollution of water while reducing the reliance on human labor, which is fully in line with the UAE’s environmental standards for marine ecological protection.
Advantages and Application Scenarios
YG’s underwater dredging robot has the following core advantages:
- No need to dive personnel, remote monitoring operation, greatly improving safety.
- Applicable to a variety of complex media, such as oil, humus and silt.
- Equipped with automatic navigation and operation path playback system, which is convenient for follow-up review and planning.
- Pollutants are not leaked during the operation to meet the requirements of environmental protection construction.
At present, it is mainly used in the following scenarios:
- Dredging underwater areas of harbor terminals and shipyards.
- Industrial sedimentation ponds, tailing pond sludge cleaning.
- Reservoir dam area bottom mud dredging, urban drainage system dredging.
- Coastal power plant cooling pool silt treatment.
YG Machinery: A Reliable Underwater Dredging Solution Provider
YG has been focusing on underwater dredging and environmental remediation equipment for 12 years, and is committed to providing cost-effective intelligent robotic products. Currently, it has served more than 30 countries around the world and has accumulated rich project experience in the Middle East market. This project also shows that China’s domestic intelligent equipment has the ability to compete with international brands.
In addition to underwater dredging robot, YG also provides a variety of dredging related equipment, including:
remote controlled sludge suction boat, dust suppression vehicle, sweeper and other products. Contact us for design, construction guidance and customization. Whether you are in a harbor, lake, water plant, or industrial dredging site, YG can provide you with reliable and efficient solutions. WhatsApp/WeChat/Phone】+86 13837115193.
