MARIC to design 80kt semisubmersible salvage vessel

The tender was held by the Guangzhou Salvage Bureau branch of China’s Ministry of Transport. The tender criteria specified that the vessel should be capable of raising and transporting vessels of up to 100,000 dwt. The vessel is also intended to expand the Ministry of Transport’s capacities to undertake emergency rescues and assist ships in distress on the water.

The semi-submersible vessel will be the most technologically advanced vessel in the salvage arm of China’s Ministry of Transport when completed. It is expected to operate mainly in China’s offshore waters, as well as the South China Sea.

MARIC has previous experience of designing semisubmersible vessels. MARIC designed COSCO Heavy Transport’s 100,000 dwt Xin Guang Hua, the largest semisubmersible vessel in Asia, and the second largest vessel in the world. The vessel was built at CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering’s Guangzhou shipyard, and features 2 x 10,500kw main propulsion system, as well as 2 x 2,2650kW bow thrusters and 2 x 2,650kW stern thrusters.

MARIC also has substantial previous experience designing salvage vessels. The agency previously designed a 50,000 dwt semisubmersible vessel Huayanglong for the Guangzhou Salvage Bureau, which was delivered in 2016.