Suction dredge vessels, also known as cutter suction dredgers or dredgers, are frequently utilized in river sediment removal projects and river sand mining operations. The sand mining efficiency is equivalent to that of three similar self-priming and self-discharging dredging vessels of the same size working simultaneously.

The cutter suction dredger is utilized in sand extraction operations, significantly reducing labor and energy costs. It can also be employed in mining areas for extracting raw ore, soil, and sand, facilitating the selection process. When working on embankment projects, it can encircle a specific area to form a cofferdam.

The cutter suction dredger is the primary type of dredging vessel for river channel cleaning. It consists of a float body, upper and lower suction pipes, cutter, pump, and power unit. The dredger uses the cutter at the front end of the lower suction pipe to cut and stir the sediment at the bottom of the water, making it loose before it is lifted through the lower suction pipe by the pump and then discharged through the upper suction pipe. The dredger is highly efficient with low operational costs. According to the vessel type, the hourly processing capacity of sand-water mixture ranges from 50 to 500 cubic meters. Ultra-large dredgers have a processing capacity exceeding 1,000 cubic meters.