The world’s largest heavy lift vessel Dockwise Vanguard started out with her maiden voyage on February 12, 2013 and proceeded to the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, USA, which she will reach in mid-April.
The ship is carrying the hull of Jack/St. Malo, the 56,000-ton semi-submersible offshore oil platform for Kiewit yard in Ingleside, which was built at Samsung Heavy Industries, the city of Geoje, South Korea. The platform is designated for drilling activities in Jack/St. Malo field in the Gulf of Mexico which is under development by Chevron. As stated by the shipowner, the ship and the cargo are the biggest of its kind as of today. Moreover, Dockwise Vanguard is capable of carrying up to 110,000 tons of load.
It took just 4 hours to perform the load-out, but fastening the structure required two days. From the South Korean works, the platform shall be delivered to Kiewit yard, Texas. The route passes through the Cape of Good Hope.
As you may recall, the heavy load carrier Dockwise Vanguard – IMO: 9618783, the Netherlands flag – was put into service on February 1, 2013. Shipbuilder: Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ulsan, South Korea (yard number 2511). The vessel was laid down in December 2011. On October 7, 2012, it was launched with a christening ceremony taking place on November 30, 2012.
Main details: water displacement is 91,238 tons, deadweight – 117,000 tons. Length – 275 meters, breadth – 79 meters, draft – 9.5 meters. Maximum speed – 14.4 knots, average speed – 12.9 knots.