A giant semi-submersible lifting barge is being lengthened and strengthened at the Hat-San shipyard in Turkey to prepare it for a new working life with Malin Abram and Malin Augustea in Scotland.
Once converted, the massive barge will be one of the largest in Europe – and the only one in Scotland able to submerge and load vessels and cargo up to 12 metres deep and 140 metres long.
With a submergence depth of up to 12 metres over deck and a deck space of 4,200m, the barge can accommodate the load out and float off of most offshore structures and vessels making it one of the most capable vessels of this type in Europe.
On arrival in Scotland, the barge will be used by heavy lift specialists Malin Abram and Malin Augustea to transport and launch the highly anticipated Type 26 Global Combat Ships being built by BAE Systems for the United Kingdom Royal Navy, then berthed on the Clyde and made available to industry as required, catalysing further opportunities for the wider supply chain in fields including shipbuilding, civil construction and renewable energy.
John MacSween, Managing Director of the Malin Group, said:
“Securing this piece of equipment marks another positive step forward in the reawakening of the shipping and large-scale marine manufacturing industry in Scotland. This versatile asset, based on the West Coast of Scotland, can be used for launching and bringing ships ashore, docking vessels locally or at remote locations as well as being used to relocate large structures around the UK and further afield. We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with the internationally renowned tug and barge owner specialists Augustea, as well as work with Hat-San who are bringing years of shipbuilding experience to the conversion. We are also extremely grateful for the support we have had from Scottish Enterprise in making this project a reality.”
Sandro Lipani, Director at Augustea said:
“We are really pleased to cooperate with Malin Group for such an exciting project, and one that will further strengthen our long lasting and successful relationship. Hat San is the right partner to deliver CD01, which will offer an asset to support shipbuilding, civil construction and renewable energy projects for years to come.”
You can download the spec sheet today – for all enquiries, contact [email protected]