On May 24, Asia’s largest semi-submersible vessel “Xin Guanghua” safely offloaded Asia’s largest cylindrical FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading Unit) “Haikui No.1” at the anchorage on Lantau Island, Guangzhou, which was a successful ending of this high-profile voyage.
It is reported that “Haikui No. 1” integrates the functions of crude oil production, storage and offloading, which is the world’s first “digitized” cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) integrating multiple systems such as marine integrated monitoring system, data integration platform and health management system for machinery and equipment.
“Haikui No. 1” consists of two parts: the hull and the upper functional module, which are composed of nearly 600,000 components. It has a maximum storage capacity of 60,000 tons, and is designed in accordance with harsh sea conditions, with a design life of 30 years, and can be operated continuously at sea for 15 years.
COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers, a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Group, has provided dry towing and transportation turnkey service for CNOOC Liuhua FPSO project.
Xin Guang Hua, boasting a 100,000 DWT capacity, stands as the flagship among COSCO SHPPING Specialized Carrier’s semi-submersible vessels. It has a distinguished track record and extensive expertise in handling oversized, overweight, ultra-high, and ultra-long cargoes. The vessel has previously executed similar tasks, notably transporting China’s inaugural total contract FPSO project Hope 6 and the world’s premier 100,000 DWT deep-water semi-submersible production and oil storage platform, known as the SHEN HAI YI HAO hull project, solidifying its status as the optimal choice for such projects.
COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carrier’s semi-submersible fleet has, to date, transported seven FPSOs of various types, including four FPSOs of this category. The diameter of the platform bases has expanded from the initial 60 meters to the Hope 7 at 74.3 meters, followed by Hope 6 at 87.5 meters, and culminating in the HAI KUI No.1 at an impressive 90 meters, successively setting new benchmarks. This particular task not only broke previous records but also established a dual precedent within the company’s fleet for transporting the heaviest and largest cylindrical cargo ever.