DARWIN Port recently welcomed another interesting ship with the arrival of the semi-submersible Xiang Tai Kou (IMO 9982134).
This vessel is one of the COSCO SHIPPING fleet of vessels.
“At over 230 metres long and with the ability to carry up to 65,000 tonnes, this heavy-lift vessel is built to transport massive infrastructure like offshore platforms and other oversized cargo,” a Darwin Port statement read.
“The semi-submersible design means it can literally sink part of its deck below the waterline to float cargo on and off.”
According to Darwin Port, having vessels of this scale call “reflects our port’s capacity to handle significant projects and our role in supporting major global supply chains”.
“From container ships to cruise liners and specialised vessels like this one, we’re proud to provide the infrastructure, water depth, and expertise needed to get the job done,” the statement read.
Semi-submersible vessels are typically used in offshore drilling, oil production, heavy lifting as well as safety vessels.
These tasks are relevant to the economy of the Northern Territory which is heavily based upon oil and gas, particularly liquefied natural gas exports.
Darwin is an important hub for LNG production, with two LNG plants (Darwin LNG and Ichthys LNG) and support for projects like the Prelude Floating LNG in the Timor Sea.
According to the Northern Territory government, the NT can play an important role in Australia’s LNG expansion plans.
“With a fully established and globally significant LNG export hub, the Territory is Australia's third largest producer, supporting Australia's 2020 crown as the largest global exporter of LNG,” a government statement read.
Darwin also has been in the news this year with speculation the Chinese company Landbridge will be forced to sell its long-term lease of the port.