July 11 - Allseas Group and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have signed an agreement stating that the "biggest vessel in the world" Pieter Schelte will be completed at the Dutch port.
The vessel is expected to arrive in Rotterdam at the end of 2014.
Pieter Schelte, which is 382 m long and 124 m wide, is intended for installing and removing topsides and jackets of large offshore oil and gas platforms in a single lift.
At the bow of the vessel is a slot, where topsides are lifted. Pieter Schelte can lift topsides weighing up to 48,000 tonnes and jackets of up to 25,000 tonnes. The vessel is also equipped for laying large pipelines.
Final assembly of Pieter Schelte will take place in Alexiahaven. A special pit will be dredged in the inner lake of Maasvlakte 2 for the vessel.
The 65 m long beams of the topside lifting system, which are being constructed in Italy, will be installed at the Port of Rotterdam.
Allard Castelein, chief executive of the port authority, explained that Rotterdam's role in Pieter Schelte's construction is in line with the port's endeavour to develop the port further to the centre of the global maritime industry.
