Introduction

The name says it all: heavy-lift vessels are built to carry heavy loads. More often than not, this involves over-sized structures such as drilling platforms and vessels, multiple smaller ships and yachts, cranes and other large machinery. The possibilities are endless.

And, to be clear, a heavy load is defined as being larger than a standard 40-foot container, or heavier than 26 tonnes. There are several categories within the heavy lift sector:

• semi-submersible vessels that lift an object from underneath,
• self-propelled floating dry docks,
• heavy lift vessels equipped with powerful deck cranes,
• open-decked ships suitable for transporting particularly tall objects.

These videos from KVNR members Jumbo Maritime, BigLift Shipping and RollDock Shipping give an impression of the heavy-lift sector.