HMD will jumboise Dockwise’s 57,021dwt semi-submersible heavy lift ship “Blue Marlin(built in 2000)” in a conversion project that will increase the vessel’s unobstructed deck area by 50%.

HMD has signed a letter of intent with Dockwise for the project, which is earmarked to take place in the second half of 2003. HMD completed a similar jumboisation of Dockwise’s semi-submersible heavy lift vessel “Might Servant 1(built in 1983) four years ago. On that occasion the ship was both widened and lengthened in a project costing $20m.

Conversion work on the “Blue Marlin” will see the vessel widened by 21m, increasing its beam to 63m and enlarging its unobstructed deck area to 11,227m2 from its present 7,484m2. The project will also include the installation of additional propulsion and upgrading of the ballast system.

After modification, the “Blue Marlin” will have a capacity of 78,000dwt, enabling it to carry heavy structures of up to 73,000tons.