Rotterdam Harbor co to complete world's largest ship

Havenbedrijf (Harbor Company) Rotterdam has secured the deal to complete construction of the largest ship in the world.

The company has announced that it has reached an agreement with Allseas, owner and designer of the Pieter Schelte that the ship will arrive in the Netherlands by year-end, where it will receive its final touches. The mega-ship is 382 meters long and 124 meters wide; a company spokesperson said it may not be the longest vessel in the world, but its width compensates. Fitted with a dual bow it is especially designed for installing and removing large offshore oil and gas platforms. Allseas also wants it outfitted for removal of gas lines. Rotterdam is arranging a special spot in the Tweede Maasvlakte lake, reservoir is deepened and 65 meter long beams are installed in the lift system. The beams are currently in production in Italy. Allard Castelin of Havenbedrijf Rotterdam, said the arrival of the Pieter Schelte is an enormous boost for the maritime industry as it will bring extra work and revenue to the area. The ship is named after Pieter Schelte Heerema, the founder and director of ship builder Heerema, who was a known anti-Semite and officer in the Waffen SS. Heerema was arrested after the war and released in 1947 after which he relocated to Venezuela, where he spread his business out further. He returned to the Netherlands in 1961.