November 14 - Dutch specialist heavy lift shipping group, Allseas has confirmed that it is going ahead with the development of a vessel even larger than Pioneering Spirit.
Intentions for Amazing Grace were originally announced in 2013 - see here - and Allseas has confirmed that it meets weekly to go over plans for the new ship.
Like Pioneering Spirit, which entered service last year as HLPFI reported here, the new ship will be able to install and dismantle offshore oil and gas platforms and, says Allseas, each offers economies of scale that others cannot.
Pioneering Spirit can lift 48,000 tonnes, while the lifting capacity of Amazing Grace will be 72,000 tonnes. The new ship will be 160 m wide compared to the Pioneering Spirit's 124 m.
Allseas says that building of Amazing Grace could commence in three to four years.
