Octabuoy main hull docking

On July 30, five tugs slowly moved into the offshore dock at COSCO Qidong base; the main hull of Octabuoy, with a deadweight of 30,000 tons, was towed and installed exactly on the docking block. In doing so successfully, COSCO Shipyard broke a new record for the total docking weight for offshore projects.

The unique weather and tides at the Qidong base contributed to the complexity of the operation. The main hull, nearly 80 meters high, results in a high wind resistance. Additionally its weight is in the order of 30,000 tonnes: equivalent to a 400K dwt ore carrier. It therefore became a serious challenge and required us to focus our skills to ensure the project was safely and successfully secured into the dock. The yard carefully drew up docking plans and kept a detailed record of facts in the operation process thus documenting valuable information and learning for similar projects in the future.

The installation and construction of its nearly 4,000-tonne wellhead facilities and equipment will be conducted after the docking of the Octabuoy main hull has been completed.