Transporting a steel gravity structure by sea

Chevron needed to transport their prefabricated 36,000 tonne steel gravity structure (SGS) from South Korea to Australia – a distance of more than 7,000 km – using a heavy lift vessel (HLV). To confirm the integrity of the chosen transport method, Chevron asked us to carry out physical model tests in our ocean basin. We found that the seakeeping characteristics of the HLV were excellent with a satisfactory margin of safety against SGS overturning, wave slam, and loads experienced by the SGS and vessel during their long journey through the Pacific Ocean.