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Kuehne+Nagel and Boskalis coordinated the transoceanic transport of Türkiye’s largest floating drydock to the U.S.
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The drydock, unable to move on its own, was towed and loaded onto the semi-submersible BOKA Vanguard.
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The journey spans 13,500 nautical miles, bypassing the Panama Canal and rounding Cape Horn.
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Months of engineering, planning, and global coordination ensured precision at every stage of the operation.
Transporting a 17,300-tonne floating drydock from Yalova, Türkiye, to San Diego, California, required more than standard logistics—it demanded precise coordination and detailed planning at every stage. Managed by Kuehne+Nagel in partnership with Boskalis, the operation involved moving the largest floating drydock ever built in Türkiye to the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. The project highlighted the scale and complexity of marine transport, with every element—from bolts to tug operations—meticulously tracked. As reported by Breakbulk News, this move exemplifies the engineering precision behind large-scale global shipping.
Precision in Motion: Drydock Transport Relied on Careful Coordination and Expertise
The assignment from General Dynamics NASSCO was clear in objective but complex in execution: transport a massive floating drydock from Türkiye to the U.S. Without its propulsion system, the 253-meter-long structure first needed to be carefully towed into open waters by four tugboats. There, it awaited the arrival of its transport vessel, BOKA Vanguard.
Operated by Boskalis, the BOKA Vanguard is a semi-submersible heavy marine transport vessel known for its ability to carry enormous offshore structures. Measuring 275 meters in length and 75 meters wide, the vessel was well-suited for the task. Still, loading the drydock required a meticulous, multi-day maneuver involving synchronized effort from tugboats and engineering teams.
Kuehne+Nagel, working closely with Boskalis, managed the drydock’s positioning with extreme precision. From double-checking every mooring line and connection to deploying support boats for crew and equipment transfers, the operation reflected high-stakes marine logistics at its most refined.
Transoceanic Transport Showcases the Discipline Behind Large-Scale Marine Logistics
Loading the floating drydock onto the BOKA Vanguard marked only the beginning of an extraordinary 13,500-nautical-mile journey. With the Panama Canal off limits due to the drydock’s scale, the vessel is navigating the longer and more treacherous route around South America’s Cape Horn, where waves can reach 20 meters high. This path underscores the operational challenges faced in such specialized marine transport.
Far from being a simple delivery, the project required months of behind-the-scenes preparation. Engineering plans, simulations, weather forecasts, and international regulatory clearances were all essential. Every phase—down to risk assessments and structural drawings—demanded full alignment across teams and countries.
What may appear as a single logistical movement is, in reality, a tightly choreographed international operation. It connects continents and industries through a blend of strategy, skill, and seamless coordination. As BOKA Vanguard moves steadily toward the U.S. West Coast with its heavy cargo secured, the final handoff now awaits Kuehne+Nagel’s team in San Diego, who will guide the drydock through its final stage to NASSCO’s facility.
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Source: Breakbulk News
