Offshore contractor Allseas has chosen Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam to design its new semi-submersible Heavy Transport Vessel (HTV), the Grand Tour. The vessel will be purpose-built to support offshore topsides transfers to Allseas’ flagship installation vessel Pioneering Spirit.
Construction will take place at Guangzhou Shipyard International, with delivery expected in Q1 2028. Optimized for loads of up to 60,000 tonnes, Grand Tour can transport topsides weighing up to 40,000 tonnes at the stern and fit seamlessly into Pioneering Spirit’s bow slot for safe offshore handovers.
The ship will feature a semi-submersible hull with a 57-meter beam, providing enhanced stability and shallow-draft access to fabrication yards worldwide. Its cargo deck measures 180 by 57 meters and is designed for skidding, roll-on/roll-off, and float-on/float-off operations.
Incorporating future-ready technologies, the vessel will be methanol-ready and fitted with an air lubrication system, podded propulsion, and a high-capacity ballast system to reduce fuel consumption and improve precision during load transfers.
Main specifications include:
- LOA: 229.9 m
- Beam: 57 m
- Depth: 14.8 m
- Summer draught: 11.1 m
- DP2 positioning
- Deadweight: 73,000 t
- Deck space: 10,260 m²
“Having supported Allseas for decades, including engineering contributions to Pioneering Spirit, we are proud to deliver the concept and basic design of this innovative HTV,” said Floris Toetenel, Director at Vuyk Engineering. “The Grand Tour reflects our shared focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in offshore transport and installation.”
This project strengthens Allseas’ transport and installation capabilities while highlighting Vuyk’s expertise in semi-submersible vessel design and alternative fuel integration.
