Saipem 7000 semi‑submersible crane vessel clears Istanbul Strait

The Bahamian‑flagged Saipem 7000, the world’s third‑largest semi‑submersible crane and pipe‑laying vessel, successfully completed its transit of the Istanbul Strait. To pass beneath the Bosphorus bridges, the 197.95‑metre ship lowered its 135‑metre crane towers and reduced its draft by filling ballast tanks, bringing its height down to 57 metres. The maneuver was carried out under extensive security coordination and safety measures.

Saipem 7000 boasts a twin‑crane system with a 14,000‑ton lifting capacity, an 87‑metre beam and the ability to lay pipelines at depths of up to 2,150 metres. The vessel, which can accommodate up to 725 crew members, previously took part in the Blue Stream (Mavi Akım) gas project, setting a record for pipe‑laying in the Black Sea. Its passage through the strait demonstrates the capability of ultra‑large offshore construction ships to navigate constrained waterways for future international projects.