Dockwise Vessel Loads Largest Offshore Platform on Maiden Voyage

The world’s largest heavy transport vessel loaded the biggest semi-submersible offshore platform hull for its maiden voyage, ship owner Dockwise Ltd. said.

The Dockwise Vanguard completed its first float-on operation this week at the Silli-Do deep hole near the Samsung Heavy Industries yard in Geoje, South Korea, the Breda, Netherlands-based company said in a statement today. After almost two days of fastening, the vessel departed on Feb. 12 and will sail to the Kiewit yard in Ingleside, Texas. It is expected to arrive mid-April, according to the statement.

The ship is carrying the Jack/St. Malo platform hull, weighing 56,000 metric tons, according to the statement. The Dockwise Vanguard can load as much as 110,000 tons, the company said.

“Companies in the oil and gas industry can now specify much larger and heavier offshore structures, and these can be integrated at a single fabrication site,” Dockwise said in the statement. “These mega-structures can then be transported on- board the vessel to remote offshore locations, even in harsh climates where no commissioning facilities are available.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Isaac Arnsdorf in London at iarnsdorf@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Alaric Nightingale at anightingal1@bloomberg.net