Recently, Huarui Long has completed the transport of a 52,033-tonne FPSO from Singapore to Denmark, establishing a new Asian record for the heaviest single cargo moved by sea.
The FPSO measured 275 m in length and 53 m in width. During loading, the gap between the unit and the transport vessel’s hull was only 3.5 m on each side, making the operation highly demanding. On 28 January, the project team submerged the vessel to 22.5 m at the Singapore anchorage and positioned the FPSO with millimeter-level accuracy.
The voyage covered about 8,921 nautical miles. After loading, the vessel’s air draft reached 68.3 m and its beam widened to 77.7 m, both beyond standard Suez Canal navigation limits. Following consultation and approval for special passage, the vessel transited the canal with pilot guidance and tug assistance.
After arriving in Denmark, the operations team completed preparation work, including unmooring and commissioning, in strong winds and freezing temperatures. On 27 March, Huarui Long submerged to 23 m, allowing the FPSO to be discharged smoothly. The transport and discharge operation was completed safely.
Operated by Guangzhou Salvage Bureau, Huarui Long is an 80,000-tonne semi-submersible salvage and engineering vessel. It is described as Asia’s first new-generation semi-submersible vessel with a four-island design and without a conventional bow superstructure. The vessel was built at China Merchants Industry Haimen Base in Jiangsu.
