Watch: How Do Heavy Lift Vessels Transport Massive Cargo Across Oceans?

Have you ever wondered how massive cargo, like oil rigs or damaged warships, are transported across oceans? Well, It’s an extraordinary feat of engineering that involves some of the largest vessels on the planet.

Take, for example, when the USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off the coast of Japan in June of 2017. The collision ripped open the hull, flooded much of the ship, and killed 7 sailors.

So to carry it home one of the most advanced vessels was used: a semi-submersible, heavy lift ship big enough to carry another ship.

These specialized ships are designed to lift and carry heavy floating objects, making them perfect for transporting ships or offshore structures.

The magic happens with ballast tanks strategically placed throughout the vessel’s hull. By filling these tanks with seawater, the ship becomes heavier and gradually sinks lower.

Once the main deck submerges, buoyant cargo can be floated over the top. Tugs manoeuvre the cargo into place, working with a precision measured in inches.

Then, the sinking process is reversed; water is pumped out of the ballast tanks, and buoyancy does the rest. The physics is simple, and the scale of the operation is staggering.

These heavy lift vessels can navigate the seas like any other ship once their cargo is on board.

They can choose longer routes to avoid high-risk areas, like the Gulf of Aden, ensuring a safe journey for their precious cargo.

And when it’s time to unload, it’s simply a matter of reversing the process. The cargo is floated off the deck, tugs manoeuvre it clear, and the heavy lift vessel is ready for its next adventure.

For the biggest jobs, you need the Dockwise Vanguard, now known as the Boka Vanguard, the largest semi-submersible heavy lift ship in the world.

Its deck measures 900 feet by 230 feet—more than 3.5 football fields. A container ship, oil tanker, or modern cruise ship dwarfs the Vanguard in size, but you can’t beat its versatility or payload.

So, the next time you see one of these massive vessels on the horizon, you’ll know they’re not just transporting cargo; they’re carrying the weight of innovation and engineering across the seas.

Watch this video to know more-

About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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