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World's biggest crane ship Pieter Schelte sets sail for Rotterdam | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The world's largest crane ship, which is capable of lifting oil rigs, has set sail from its shipyard in South Korea for Rotterdam Port in the Netherlands. | |
The Pieter Schelte, which left South Korea on Wednesday, is due to arrive at the port for completion in December. | The Pieter Schelte, which left South Korea on Wednesday, is due to arrive at the port for completion in December. |
The vessel is 124m (407ft) wide and 382m (1,253ft) long - as long as the Empire State Building is high. | The vessel is 124m (407ft) wide and 382m (1,253ft) long - as long as the Empire State Building is high. |
Designed to assist offshore oil rigs, it reportedly cost around £1.9bn ($2.97bn) to build. | Designed to assist offshore oil rigs, it reportedly cost around £1.9bn ($2.97bn) to build. |
The Pieter Schelte was commissioned by Swiss company Allseas, which specialises in offshore pipeline installation and subsea construction. | |
It has been billed as the biggest ship in the world - though the title is contested. | |
Unlike oil tankers or container vessels, crane ships specialise in lifting heavy loads and often assist in offshore construction. | |
In partnership with the Port of Rotterdam, the ship will be taken to Maasvlakte 2, an extension of the port, where a special pit has been drained to house the vessel. | In partnership with the Port of Rotterdam, the ship will be taken to Maasvlakte 2, an extension of the port, where a special pit has been drained to house the vessel. |
After its completion, it will sail to the South Stream project in the Black Sea to lay pipelines there. | After its completion, it will sail to the South Stream project in the Black Sea to lay pipelines there. |
The ship will be used to install and remove offshore oil and gas rigs as well as to lay pipes. | The ship will be used to install and remove offshore oil and gas rigs as well as to lay pipes. |
Allseas says the Pieter Schelte, which was built by Daewoo Heavy Industries in South Korea, will be able to lift loads of 48,000 tonnes. | |
However, the company has said it will build an even bigger vessel. | |
Allseas says it is planning a sister ship measuring 400m (1,312ft) long and 160m (525ft) wide. | |
Capable of lifting 77,000 tonnes, this vessel would be able to work on the world's largest oil rigs and should be in operation by 2020. | Capable of lifting 77,000 tonnes, this vessel would be able to work on the world's largest oil rigs and should be in operation by 2020. |
The title of world's biggest ship is difficult to define, but the largest floating vessel currently in operation is the Shell Prelude, a 488m (1,601ft) long platform for liquefied natural gas anchored in a South Korean port. | |
However the vessel is unable to propel itself, leading to questions as to whether it can actually be classified as a "ship". | |
The world's longest moving vessel is the Maersk Triple E class, a family of container ships each of which is 400m (1,312ft) in length. |