Blue Water oversees first float-off operation in Port of Gdansk

Blue Water’s team in Gdansk, Poland, played a key role in a milestone operation at the Port of Gdansk. For the first time, an offshore vessel was floated off a semi-submersible vessel at the port. The local team represented shipowner Asso.subsea throughout the entire process. 

The cable ship Atalanti was transported to the Gdansk Repair Shipyard. After being brought to the roadstead of the Port of Gdansk aboard a heavy lift vessel, the cargo unit was launched and subsequently introduced into the port. 

The complex operation of submerging the heavy lift vessel and floating off the offshore unit was completed in a single day. Preparations took more than three weeks and required close coordination between multiple parties, including the shipowner, the Port of Gdansk, local towage providers, and agents.  

High level of precision  

“As this project was the first of its kind at the Port of Gdansk, we had to determine whether it could be done. The smallest details of the operation were discussed. This unique project highlights our capability to manage complex marine operations with a high level of precision and cooperation,” says Pawel Grzadko, Business Development Manager, Blue Water Poland. “We’re proud to have contributed to a smooth and safe operation in partnership with all involved stakeholders.” 

After the successful float-off, Blue Water managed the logistics for mobilising the offshore vessel for its next assignment. Two months of technical preparation and outfitting followed before the vessel departed Gdansk to begin a new project in the southern Baltic Sea. 

With more and more energy projects in the Baltic Sea, Blue Water Gdansk is seeing the evolving logistics needs to support operations. The local team now has more than 250 people employed in Szczecin, including 100 technicians. “We have our own training academy to train the profession, so we can always deliver the same level of safety and expertise,” adds Grzadko.