Cutter suction dredgers are a type of hydraulic dredging vessel that primarily loosen underwater sediment using a rotating cutterhead assembly mounted at the front of the vessel's ladder (or boom). Utilizing negative pressure suction generated by centrifugal pumps, the loosened material is drawn up and discharged through pipelines to designated areas up to a kilometer away; these vessels serve functions such as channel dredging and land reclamation. Representative models include heavy-duty self-propelled vessels like the *Tianjing* and *Tiankun*, as well as the *Junlan*-the world's largest fully electric, eco-friendly cutter suction dredger, which entered service in 2025. Notably, the *Tiankun* boasts a maximum dredging depth of 35 meters, an hourly dredging capacity of 6,000 cubic meters, and a maximum discharge distance of 15 kilometers.
The vessel's ladder can be lowered below the water surface via trunnions, and the cutterhead teeth are replaceable. The stern is equipped with positioning spuds and lifting mechanisms to anchor and maneuver the vessel during operations. Key features include the rotating cutterhead assembly at the suction inlet and an integrated operational workflow where slurry is suctioned, lifted, and discharged by the pumps. Capable of excavating hard materials such as rock and stiff clay, these vessels are suitable for projects including channel dredging, land reclamation via hydraulic fill, port construction, and eco-friendly desilting. Current development trends emphasize intelligent systems, high environmental standards, and full electric propulsion.