The Boka Vanguard, earlier called the Dockwise Vanguard, is a powerful vessel, believed to be the biggest semi-submersible heavy lift ship in the world. Though it cannot be called a salvage vessel in the traditional sense of possessing cranes for wreck removal, its unique capabilities make it a vital asset in large-scale marine operations, like certain aspects of salvage, especially transport of damaged or very large ships and offshore structures.
It is owned and operated by Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis), a Dutch global maritime services company, which acquired it from its original owner in 2013.
Boka Vanguard is 275 m long and was recently widened to more than 75 m in the 2025 refit. Its depth to the main deck is 15.50 m, and submerged draught is up to 31 m.
It has a gross tonnage of 91,784 tonnes and a deadweight of 116,173 tonnes, allowing it to carry cargoes up to 110,000 to 117,000 metric tonnes.
Boka Vanguard was constructed in 2012 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea and sails under the flag of Curaçao.
The biggest salvage ship has an innovative bow-less design. Its deck extends the entire length of the ship without a raised bow or a conventional forward superstructure.
This design feature enables a large, open cargo deck which allows for the transportation of cargo which is longer and wider than the ship itself, with overhangs possible at both ends.
It is known for its semi-submersible capabilities. The ship can flood its ballast tanks, allowing for the deck to submerge up to 16 m below the surface, allowing massive floating cargo like other ships, massive pre-fabricated structures or oil rigs to be floated over its deck.
When the cargo is placed on it appropriately, ballast tanks are emptied, raising the deck and lifting the cargo for transport.
It is powered by Wartsila engines and boasts two 12-cylinder Wartsila 38 engines and two 6-cylinder Wartsila 38 generating sets, giving a total output of 27,000 kW.
It uses 2 propellers, 2 retractable azimuth thrusters and 1 bow thruster for excellent manoeuvrability.
Boka Vanguard can achieve a speed of 14 knots unloaded and 11 to 13 knots when loaded.
Given its bow-less design, the bridge and the living area superstructure are located at the far starboard side of the ship, allowing for an entirely open and flat cargo deck spanning the rest of the ship’s length.
The ship’s operations are highly automated, which allows it to operate with a relatively small crew, numbering just 40.
Crew members have their private cabins with a bed, desk, storage and en-suite private bathroom.
There are officers’ cabins for senior officers like the Master and Chief Engineer, which are bigger.
There are also mess rooms, and recreational facilities such as a gym, lounges, laundry rooms and a hospital room.
Boka Vanguard can act as a floating dry dock to lift and transport damaged ships, including cruise liners or car carriers, to repair facilities or recycling yards.
In case of very large ships or offshore structures that cannot be brought into conventional dry docks due to their size or location, the Boka Vanguard can offer an ‘in-situ dry-docking’ service, lifting them out of the water for inspection, maintenance or preliminary repair facilities.
The vessel mainly transports FPSO units, semi-submersible drilling rigs, SPARs and Tension Leg Platforms.
It has been involved in several important projects, including:
Transporting the Fremantle Highway: In 2024, the Boka Vanguard transported the damaged car carrier Fremantle Highway, which was renamed Floor, from the Netherlands to China for repairs, showing its role in post-salvage transportation of massive casualties.
Transport of FPSOs and Offshore Platforms: The biggest salvage ship has been involved in regularly transporting offshore oil and gas facilities, such as Chevron’s Jack/St. Malo oil platform, the Goliat FPSO, and the Johan Castberg FPSO.
Marine Decommissioning projects: The ship completed its decommissioning project, transporting a floating production unit from off the coast of West Africa to a Scandinavian recycling facility. It has also transported the cruise ship Carnival Vista and even a fish farm.
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