Besiktas Shipyard, the most active ship repair yard in Europe, has reached a significant milestone with the arrival of its newly acquired floating dock, Dourado. The 85,000 TLC dock, measuring 345 meters in length, has officially arrived in Turkey after an impressive journey through the Suez Canal, where it set a record as the largest unit ever to make the passage.

Purchased from Singapore’s Seatrium Group, the floating dock Dourado measures 345 meters in length and 70 meters in inner width. The dock is strengthened to accommodate very heavy ships and platforms, such as oil rigs, FPSOs (floating production storage and offloading units), and cruise ships. This acquisition reflects Besiktas Shipyard’s ongoing commitment to innovation and growth, positioning the shipyard to serve a broader range of vessels and offshore units.

A Remarkable Journey: Largest Unit to Transit the Suez Canal

The Dourado’s journey from Singapore to Besiktas Shipyard in Yalova took 54 days, including its historic transit through the Suez Canal. Successful transit of the floating dock 'DOURADO'  is the biggest qualitative transit operation in the Canal's history for a towed marine unit with a beam of 90 meters. The operation required meticulous planning and execution. The convoy, measuring 450 meters in total length with a gross tonnage of 91,000, involved seven tugboats to ensure safe passage.

On its journey to the Dardanelles Strait, additional precautions were taken, including temporarily halting two-way traffic to facilitate the smooth transit of the dock. Coastal Safety Officers, three canal pilots, five tugboats, and a support vessel worked in coordination, showcasing the logistical and technical expertise involved in managing such a significant operation.

A Milestone for Besiktas Group Shipyards

The arrival of the Dourado marks a pivotal moment for Besiktas Group, Turkey’s leading maritime group, which operates three shipyards and handles over 300 sophisticated ship repair and maintenance projects annually for the world’s leading maritime companies.

Once routine maintenance is completed, Dourado will begin hosting vessels in March, 2025. The addition of this floating dock will be significantly boosting capacity and enhancing the shipyard’s ability to accommodate a diverse range of vessels.

Docking Capacities:

Besiktas Shipyard:

     - Floating Dock 1: 382 x 58m

     - Floating Dock 2: 345 x 70m

     - Graving Dock: 235 x 40m

Park Shipyard:

     - Floating Dock: 286 x 47m

Art Shipyard:

     - Floating Dock 1: 230 x 38,2m

      - Floating Dock 2: 190 x 35,4m

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	Issue 94 of Robban Assafina (Nov/ Dec. 2024)