Subsea Excavation & Underwater Rock Cutting
Excavation and Trenching Attachments for Excavators, Dredgers and Subsea Trenchers
- Excavation without blasting or impact
- Trench pipelines underwater with zero overbreak
- Dredge compacted sediment without structural risk
- Minimize backfill volume with fine spoil output
- Cut submerged concrete slabs into clean sections
- Lower fuel costs in dredging and excavation cycles
KEMROC offers a powerful line of hydraulic attachments engineered for subsea excavation, underwater rock cutting, and dredging hard material. Designed to perform at depths of up to 30 meters as standard with the possibility of specialized configurations for more depth, these attachments are ideal for marine contractors and civil engineers working on subsea pipeline excavation, rock slab dredging, harbor construction, and offshore trenching.
Mounted on standard excavators or directly on dredger arms, KEMROC Drum Cutters and Cutter Wheels allow precise material removal below the waterline—without excessive vibration, high noise levels, or uncontrolled spoil. Whether you’re working in shallow ports or open-sea infrastructure zones, KEMROC tools enable clean, controlled underwater rock excavation with low operational cost and high reliability.
Why Choose KEMROC Attachments for Subsea Excavation?
Engineered for 30-Meter Depths
All underwater-ready KEMROC attachments are pressure-rated for consistent operation at depths up to 30 meters as standard, working with KEMROC attachments at greater depth is possible with a simple retrofit which can be done upon request. Allowing submerged cutting in marine construction, cable trenching, and foundation dredging.
Mountable on Excavators, Dredger Arms, or subsea trenchers
KEMROC rotary drum cutters can be mounted on standard excavators, long reach excavators, subsea excavators, barge excavators, subsea trenchers, and dredger arms, giving marine operators flexibility for shallow or deepwater excavation without needing multiple machines.
Effective in Rock Dredging and Subsea Rock Slab Removal
When dredging encounters rock layers, slabs, or compacted material, KEMROC tools offer rotational cutting rather than impact—removing material cleanly and controllably without damaging nearby structures or pipelines.
Compatible with Pipeline Trenching & Subsea Infrastructure
Chain cutters, bullhead cutters, and cutter wheels can create narrow, fixed-width trenches suitable for laying power cables, telecom lines, and pipelines in offshore energy, port, or fiber optic applications.
Reduced Turbulence, Vibration & Rework
Compared to conventional impact tools or blasting, KEMROC’s rotational cutters preserve structure integrity, and reduce project downtime.
Ideal for rock dredging, quay wall shaping, and underwater concrete removal where barge-mounted or pontoon-mounted equipment is used.
The clean-cut material reduces clogging, enhances disposal logistics, and improves backfill quality in trenching applications.
Cut through sedimentary rock, concrete blocks, or seabed formations with up to 180 MPa UCS resistance depending on the attachment model.
These tools are often used where blasting is prohibited, offering safer alternatives in populated or energy-sensitive zones.
The fine-grained output produced by KEMROC’s underwater cutters can be efficiently removed using suction dredgers. This eliminates the need for heavy lifting or manual collection of spoil underwater, speeds up cleanup, and makes material handling safer and more cost-effective in subsea excavation projects.
Please select your area of application:
Watch Our Attachments in Action!
Main Applications of Subsea & Underwater Excavation Attachments
Subsea Trenching
Used in the preparation of underwater trenches for cable or pipeline installation. KEMROC attachments ensure precise trench depth and width without destabilizing the surrounding seabed or risking nearby infrastructure.
Rock Dredging in Ports and Harbors
KEMROC Drum Cutters are used to dredge rock slabs, compact sediment, and overburden from beneath quay walls, slipways, or port basins. Their rotational method avoids vibrations that can destabilize dock walls or underwater structures.
Subsea Pipeline Excavation
Used for routing subsea pipelines or cables, these attachments dig trenches in hard or layered material. Chain cutters maintain trench consistency, ideal for engineering precision along hundreds of linear meters.
Underwater Rock Excavation & Shaping
In marine construction, KEMROC attachments are used to shape rock surfaces beneath the waterline—such as preparing bases for underwater concrete placement or adjusting rock gradients for turbine installations.
Concrete Slab Removal Below the Waterline
KEMROC chain and drum cutters can segment submerged reinforced concrete slabs, piers, or damaged spillway structures without causing shockwaves that risk further damage.
Compare KEMROC's Underwater & Subsea Attachments
Rotary Drum Cutters
Drum CuttersMeasure:Applications:- Tunnel profiling in civil tunnelling projects
Trenching in medium-hard rock and compacted soil
Shaft sinking using direct-drive models in vertical excavation
Underwater excavation at depths up to 30 meters
3 modelsDetails
EK Chain Cutters
Chain CuttersMeasure:Applications:Narrow trenching for pipelines, cables, and fiber optics
Selective mining in soft to medium-hard rock (15–80 MPa)
Submerged trenching for cable or pipe laying
Trenching in urban areas with low noise and vibration
9 modelsDetails
KRC Bullhead Cutters
Bullhead CuttersMeasure:Applications:Heavy-duty trenching in hard and abrasive rock
Tunnel profiling in confined spaces
Scaling and surface levelling in mining and construction
Cutting rock in infrastructure projects with high material resistance
7 modelsDetails
- Minimize backfill volume with fine spoil output
- Rock dredging attachments for hydraulic excavators
- Lower fuel costs in dredging and excavation cycles
- Achieve clean trench profiles even in rocky seabeds
FAQs for Underwater and Subsea Excavation
Can KEMROC attachments be mounted on marine dredgers?
KEMROC attachments can be installed on dredger arms or barge-mounted excavators with compatible hydraulics.
Are these attachments suitable for dredging rock slabs or compacted sediment?
Absolutely. Unlike suction or impact tools, KEMROC uses rotary cutting, making it suitable for rock dredging in subsea environments.
What is the maximum operating depth underwater for KEMROC attachments?
All underwater-rated attachments function at depths up to 30 meters. For extreme projects, specialized configurations are possible.
Can I use these Attachments for subsea pipeline trenching?
Yes. Fixed-width bullhead cutters, chain cutters and cutter wheels provide ideal trench shapes for subsea pipe and cable routing.
What excavator sizes are supported?
Underwater attachments are available for excavators from 5 to 125 tons depending on the tool range and application.
We are here to help! Fill out the form and our team will be happy to assist you with any questions or needs you have regarding our Underwater operation solutions. Whether you require detailed information, technical support, or a personalized quote, we're committed to providing the support you need to achieve success in your projects.
