The semi-submersible heavy-load carrier Hai Yang Shi You 278 has made an unscheduled stop while transporting Shell Energy Australia’s Crux platform from Singapore to the Crux field off Western Australia.

A market source said the interruption followed bad weather and mechanical issues during the voyage. The vessel left Singapore on 18 February 2026. After encountering unsettled weather conditions, it docked in Dili, Timor-Leste, where issues were detected with the transporters thrustered.

The delay adds another complication to the Crux project, which remains important to backfilling the Prelude FLNG facility. Shell previously said Crux is intended to supply gas to Prelude through a 160 km export pipeline. The development is based on a platform that is not normally attended and is linked to five initial wells. First gas remains targeted for 2027.

Also referred to as HYSY 278, the vessel is a 50,000 tonnes self-propelled, semi-submersible barge and cable-laying vessel equipped with a DP2 dynamic positioning system. It has a maximum speed of more than 12 knots and a maximum float-over capacity of 18,000 tonnes. The vessel can transport and lift modules weighing up to 25,000 tonnes, while its cable carousel loading capacity reaches 10,000 tonnes.