# Heavy lift vessel

*Last updated: 2026-06-24*

> Unlike a multipurpose general cargo vessel, a heavy lift vessel carries on-board cranes capable of lifting several hundred to more than a thousand tonnes per boom, backed by reinforced decks engineered to bear individual loads of comparable magnitude.

Unlike a multipurpose general cargo vessel, a heavy lift vessel carries on-board cranes capable of lifting several hundred to more than a thousand tonnes per boom, backed by reinforced decks engineered to bear individual loads of comparable magnitude. Shipowners deploy these vessels for project cargo destined for ports where adequate shore-side crane capacity is unavailable – power plant components, drilling rigs, or large bridge segments are typical examples. The ability to load and discharge independently of port infrastructure significantly reduces turnaround time and overall voyage costs, particularly at poorly equipped terminals. One distinction worth drawing: heavy lift vessels rely on mechanical shipboard cranes, whereas semi-submersible vessels float cargo aboard by ballasting the hull down – two fundamentally different solutions for an overlapping range of cargo types.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_lift_ship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_lift_ship)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Heavy lift vessel |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 126 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-24 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_lift_ship |

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