Allseas has announced the expansion of its fleet with a new purpose-built Heavy Transport Vessel (HTV) named Grand Tour, under contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International. Scheduled for delivery in Q1 2028, Grand Tour is designed to carry massive offshore structures across oceans and facilitate seamless transfer to Pioneering Spirit, Allseas’ flagship platform installation vessel.
Key Features & Design
- Load capacity: 40,000 tonnes, enabling transport of some of the world’s largest topsides and jacket structures.
- Hull type: Semi-submersible with a 57-metre beam, allowing for improved stability and access to shallow draft yards globally.
- Deck & transfer compatibility: Crafted to fit precisely into the bow slot of Pioneering Spirit, enabling direct load transfer without requiring intermediate steps.
- Cargo deck: Large 180 × 57 metre deck configured for float-on/float-off, roll-on/roll-off, and skidding operations.
- Propulsion & sustainability: Equipped with a methanol-ready 24 MW propulsion system and air-lubrication and podded propulsion systems to reduce drag and fuel consumption.
- Ballast system: Able to pump 24,000 cubic metres per hour — roughly equivalent to ten Olympic-size swimming pools — to enable safe and precise load transfers.
Strategic Implications
The Grand Tour is intended to play a central role in Allseas’ Transport & Installation (T&I) strategy, especially in supporting Europe’s ambition to scale up offshore wind deployment. It is expected to be instrumental in delivering large converter stations for major offshore wind programmes in the Dutch and German North Sea.
By integrating the transport and installation phases internally — with Grand Tour delivering and Pioneering Spirit installing — Allseas aims to reduce project risk, optimize timelines, and offer clients higher reliability.
Additionally, beyond offshore wind applications, Grand Tour will expand Allseas’ capability in relocating its own fleet assets and exploring new floating cargo markets, opening potential in sectors beyond renewables.
