MegaMachines: Dockwise Vanguard, World's Largest Heavy Lift Ship

With its open deck measuring 275 meters by 70 meters and capacity to lift 117,000 metric tons, the semi-submersible Dockwise Vanguard is the largest heavy lift ship in the world.

The vessel, known as a “V-class” Heavy Marine Transport Vessel (HTV), was delivered in 2013 by Hyundai Heavy Industries. It is owned by Dockwise, part of Dutch marine and dredging services company Royal Boskalis Westminster.

Some notable lifts have included the transport of the 65,000 ton Goliat FPSO from South Korea to Norway, Chevron’s 53,000 ton Jack/St. Malo platform, the world’s largest, from South Korea to the Gulf of Mexico, and the 60,000 ton Armada Intrepid FPSO from Rotterdam to Indonesia. In 2013, it was actually considered for the transport of the Costa Concordia from the shores of Giglio, however that plan was scrapped in favor of the plan to tow the stricken cruise ship to Genoa.

Think that’s impressive? Dockwise has said it is planning a second V-class ship that will dwarf the Vanguard in terms of both size and carrying capacity.