Suez Canal facilitates unconventional transit of ADMARINE260 Rig
The Liberian-flagged drilling rig ADMARINE 260 has successfully crossed the Suez Canal with the help of three tugging vessels affiliated to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) on Sunday, the SCA announced in a statement.
During its journey from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, the rig was guided by a group of senior guides from the authority as well as captains of tugs, the statement added.
The length of the drilling rig is 45 meters, and its width is 48 meters, with a total load of 3543 tons.
The SCA stated that the crossing operation required special navigational arrangements and measures, including reducing the height of the drilling rig to ensure it could pass under the Peace Bridge. This was achieved by increasing the rig's draft, allowing it to cross during low tide. These adjustments enabled it to safely pass through.
The rig’s crossing took 22 hours, beginning with its arrival at Port Said. It was then connected to the main guidance tugboat, Baraka, for towing. The vessel was also secured to two of the authority’s tugboats, Port Said 3 and Suez 3, which assisted with steering. Throughout the operation, careful attention was given to the accuracy of the steering, as well as the movement and direction of air and water currents, to ensure the excavator remained positioned in the center of the canal.
