Thunderhorse Arrives on Dockwise Ship

Dockwise Shipping B.V. today set a new record by delivering BP’s 59,500-ton semi-submersible Thunder Horse platform in Corpus Christi, USA.

Already on June 19, 2002 Dockwise has been awarded the contract for the sea transportation of the largest semi-submersible PDQ (Production & Drilling Quarters) unit ever built of its kind by DSME in South Korea. The Thunder Horse PDQ is transported on the largest heavy transport vessel of the Dockwise fleet the m.v. Blue Marlin.

After a smooth float-on loading operation of the Thunder Horse PDQ, the Blue Marlin has set sail on 23 July for the 15,813 n.m. journey to the Gulf of Mexico, via Cape of Good Hope. After a voyage of approx. 8 weeks with an average speed of 11 knots the Blue Marlin has arrived today at the yard of Kiewit in Corpus Christi, where the unit will be completed. The Thunder Horse unit has a length o.a. of 155.95 m, a width o.a. of 113.88 m and a total height of 132.10 m.

"With the latest conversion of the Blue Marlin and subsequent delivery of the BP Thunder Horse PDQ we are convinced to have opened up a burgeoning market for transportation of ultra large and heavy units”, said Rob Schoenmaker, general manager commercial affairs Dockwise. "We can now offer oil companies the transportation of fully integrated units to their final destination, eliminating final assembly, hook-up and commissioning on site. Fully integrated units can now be constructed at any location of choice, regardless of distance to site. The 76,061 tons deadweight Blue Marlin is the only vessel in the world capable of transporting ultra-large structures up to 73,000 tons."

Dockwise Shipping is located in Breda, The Netherlands and operates a fleet of 15 semi-submersible heavy transport vessels of various capacities and designs. Dockwise employes about 800 people worldwide and with a global network of two offices: one in Breda, The Netherlands and one in Houston, Texas, USA, as well as 8 representing agents, Dockwise is able to serve their clients to its best ability. As a leading provider in its specialist field of marine transport services, Dockwise has the experience and the resources to meet complex ocean transportation requirements