en.Wedoany.com Reported - Recently, with the precise positioning of the barge "Haiyang Shiyou 229", the flat-top barge carrying the Qatar NFPS natural gas field module was successfully floated onto the semi-submersible vessel "Xin Guanghua", marking the successful completion of the world's first extreme oblique float-on operation by Qingdao Pilot Station, setting a new industry record.
The Qatar NFPS project is a key strategic project for the country's energy sector, crucial for stabilizing natural gas production capacity and consolidating its global market advantage in LNG. Due to constraints of offshore installation conditions abroad, the natural gas field module first needed to be loaded onto the "Haiyang Shiyou 229" at the dock, towed to the inner anchorage, and then transported across the ocean by the semi-submersible vessel "Xin Guanghua".
The tolerance for this operation was extremely small, with a reserved width for the oblique loading of only 10 meters. After loading, the distance from the barge's bow to the bridge of the "Xin Guanghua" was only 2 meters, and the gap between the central module and the stern buoyancy tank of the semi-submersible vessel was only 6.9 meters. With a total deadweight of nearly 100,000 tons for the barge and significant vessel inertia, even a slight deviation could cause module damage, making the operation extremely challenging.
To ensure absolute success, Qingdao Pilot Station formed a special task force, conducted three on-site surveys, organized seven pre-voyage coordination seminars, and collaborated with relevant units including the Maritime Safety Administration, navigation aids, tugboat companies, CNOOC, and COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers. They comprehensively assessed operational risks and developed customized operational procedures and a full set of emergency contingency plans based on the anchorage's hydrological and meteorological conditions.
Qingdao Pilot Station coordinated the deployment of multiple tugboats for collaborative operations, adjusting the barge's angle and position in real-time based on water currents and wind direction. They strictly controlled the vessel clearances throughout the process, relying on extremely precise maneuvering to achieve the ultimate alignment of the heavy-lift barge. The entire float-on operation took approximately 5 hours.
This operation fully demonstrated the professional strength of China's pilotage industry, providing solid pilotage support for the export of domestic high-end offshore engineering equipment. Going forward, Qingdao Pilot Station will summarize the experience, refine its techniques, and contribute to building a strong maritime engineering nation and the development of Qingdao as an international shipping center.
