Dockwise Planning New Heavy Lift Ship That Will Dwarf Everything

Illustration courtesy Royal Boskalis Westminster

Royal Boskalis Westminster says it is studying the feasibility of a new, even larger heavy lift transport vessel that will dwarf even its Dockwise Vanguard, the ship with the world’s greatest carrying capacity.

Boskalis made the announcement at this week’s Offshore Technology Conference in Houston that it is looking into a new ultra large “V-class” Heavy Marine Transport Vessel (HTV), which will be larger than the Vanguard in terms of length, breadth and carrying capacity.

Boskalis says the study will look to address both market opportunities and technical requirements for the new vessel. The company says it also plans to engage with clients to understand how this vessel can accommodate the expected growth in the FPSO and FLNG markets, in addition to the ocean-going transport of outsized heavy marine structures.

The Dockwise Vanguard came into service early 2013 is already the world’s largest V-class HTV with a carrying capacity of 117,000 metric tons and a deck space of 270 meters by 70 meters. Like the Vanguard, the new vessel will also have a bowless design and asymmetric accommodation. The ship is operated by Dockwise, a heavy lift transport company acquired by Royal Boskalis Westminster in early 2013.

Commenting on the study, Boskalis CEO Peter Berdowski said “The Dockwise Vanguard has been well received in the market. Our decision to start this study is a reflection of this and we see many more exciting opportunities in the FPSO and FLNG markets.”

So just how big could this new V-class vessel be? Well, it will be bigger than this… much bigger.

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