The Pieter Schelte was commissioned by Swiss company Allseas who specialise in offshore pipeline installation and subsea construction. In partnership with the Port of Rotterdam, the ship will be taken to Maasvlakte 2, an extension of the port, where a special pit has been drained to house the vessel. After its completion, it will sail to the South Stream project in the Black Sea to lay pipelines there. The ship will be used to install and remove offshore oil and gas rigs as well as to lay pipes.

Allseas say the Pieter Schelte, which was built by Daewoo Heavy Industries in South Korea, will be able to lift loads of 48,000 tonnes. However, it may not remain the world’s largest ship for long. Allseas have said they are planning to build a sister ship measuring 400m (1,312ft) long and 160m (525ft) wide. Capable of lifting 77,000 tonnes, this vessel would be able to work on the world’s largest oil rigs and should be in operation by 2020.