The market for semi-submersible heavy lift transportation is a niche market of the oil service industry and is characterised by few operators where Offshore Heavy Transport is one of only four operators. Heavy lift vessels are used to carry project cargoes that do not fit into the holds of a conventional cargo ship. The loads are typically extremely large and heavy, and in many cases highvalue, constructions. The cargo base served by heavy lift vessels includes:
- Offshore drilling rigs (both jack-ups and semi-submersible rigs)
- Floating production units (excluding self-propelled FPSO/FSOs)
- Other platforms such as SPARs and TLPs (Tension Leg Platforms)
- Oil field equipment and modules
- Other cargoes, both floating and non-floating, including docks, barges, yachts, prefabricated industrial assets and military equipment