The largest semi-submersible heavy transport vessel in the World, the m.v. “Dockwise Vanguard”, owned by Dockwise Shipping B.V. of the Netherlands, has been chartered for the loading of the semi-submersible drilling Rig “Noble Paul Romano” to act as a dry dock enabling repairs to be carried out on the underwater part of the rig which is now high and dry at the Palumbo Malta Shipyards.
The “Dockwise Vanguard”, which took 18 months to build, was constructed in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries. She left her builders on the 1 February this year to start of her maiden voyage from South Korea loaded with the giant hull of a semi-submersible production facility for the US Gulf of Mexico.
The The 275m long and 70m beam Dockwise Vanguard arrived off Valletta Port last Thursday 18th July when preparatory works to load the rig were commenced immediately. The “Noble Paul Romano” was successfully loaded onto the submerged “Vanguard” on the 22nd July after being towed out of Valletta Grand Harbour and subsequently returned back to her original berth laden onboard the “Vanguard” and commenced repairs once secured alongside. O.F. Gollcher & Sons Ltd have been appointed agents for “Dockwise Vanguard” at Malta.
