Northern Endeavour vessel to be dry towed to a recycling facility

We have engaged COSCO Shipping Heavy Transport (COSCO) to dry tow the Northern Endeavour floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to a recycling location.
7 March 2025
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Dry towing is the safest and most reliable method to transport a vessel of this size and condition. Using their semi-submersible heavy transport vessel, the Hua Rui Long, COSCO will tow the FPSO to an appropriate facility for decontamination, dismantling and recycling. 

The Northern Endeavour FPSO is 274m in length and weighs over 43,000t, the equivalent of just over 4 Eiffel Towers. There are only a few vessels in the world large enough to carry something as long and heavy as the FPSO. Securing an appropriate vessel in the right timeframes marks a significant milestone for the program.

COSCO’s Hua Rui Long with deck submerged

COSCO’s Hua Rui Long with deck submerged.

Why is the Hua Rui Long uniquely suited to this task?

The Hua Rui Long is the third largest semi-submersible heavy transport vessel in the world. It is unique because the vessel superstructure is not in the usual location at the front of the vessel. This allows the Hua Rui Long to transport longer vessels because the bow, or front, of both vessels are in alignment. The Hua Rui Long can also hang cargo over the back, or stern, if needed. 

COSCO will work with Petrofac to arrange for the FPSO to be towed to the recycling location after disconnection. 

We released a request for tender to find a supplier to recycle the FPSO on AusTender. Submissions closed on 13 December 2024, and we are evaluating the tenders.

Illustration of the Northern Endeavour FPSO loaded onto the semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, the Hua Rui Long

Illustration of the Northern Endeavour FPSO loaded onto the semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, the Hua Rui Long.

What is a semi-submersible heavy lift vessel?

A semi-submersible heavy transport vessel is a large ship designed to carry large loads that are too big for standard transport ships. The main body of the vessel is long and low and made up of large water tanks. Pumping seawater into the tanks causes the vessel to sink lower in the water until the main deck is below sea level. The Hua Rui Long can submerge its main deck to a depth of 16 m.

Once the main deck is below the sea surface, the cargo, in this case the FPSO, can float onto the vessel. The seawater in the tanks is then pumped back into the ocean. This raises the main deck above the sea level bringing the cargo with it.  

Semi-submersible heavy transport vessels are most often used to transport drilling rigs, floating plants, dredging equipment, offshore structures, floating drydocks and other vessels. Using these vessels to transport this type of cargo is faster and safer, resulting in large time and cost savings.

More information

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