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Heavy transport vessel completes transatlantic delivery
Boskalis has completed the transport of a large floating dry dock from the Bahamas to the Dutch port of Flushing using its semi submersible heavy transport vessel Mighty Servant 3.
The dry dock was loaded in Freeport, Bahamas after the vessel submerged to allow the structure to float into position. The cargo measures 168 meters in length and 38 meters in width with an internal width of 28 meters and has a lifting capacity of 18,000 tons.
Following loading operations in the Caribbean, the vessel sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Flushing in the Netherlands. Once in port, the transport team carried out a float off operation, allowing the dry dock to be refloated and towed to its final destination.
Destination Dutch Shipyard Reimerswaal
The floating dry dock is destined for Shipyard Reimerswaal, where it will expand the yard’s repair and maintenance capabilities. According to Boskalis, the new dock is significantly larger than the shipyard’s current floating dock and will enable the facility to handle larger vessels.
Operations such as these rely on the controlled ballasting of semi submersible vessels. By lowering the deck beneath the waterline, large floating structures can be positioned without the need for heavy cranes. Once the cargo is secured, the vessel deballasts and raises the deck for transport.
Specialized project cargo transport
Semi submersible heavy lift vessels such as the Mighty Servant 3 are frequently used to transport offshore structures, floating docks, drilling rigs and other oversized marine assets. The method allows operators to move extremely large cargo units across oceans in a single voyage.
After completing the float off in Flushing and handing over the dry dock for towing to the shipyard, the vessel departed the port and resumed operations for its next heavy transport assignment.
