The Swiss-owned “Pioneering Spirit”, the largest construction vessel ever built, brought the Bosphorus Strait to a halt this week on its way to a major Black Sea pipeline project.
The mammoth vessel is headed for the port of Anapa (Russia) after a three-week journey that began in the Netherlands on May 13. On Wednesday, traffic and ferry lines across the symbolic Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul were suspended to allow the giant to make its way from Europe to Asia.
The Swiss company Allseas, which specialises in pipeline installation and subsea construction, owns the 382 metre-long and 124 metre-wide twin-hulled ship. Built over a three-year period in South Korea, the vessel began operational work in summer 2016 and flies under a Maltese flag.
Not only is it the largest construction vessel ever built, but it is also one of the strongest. At the end of April, according to Allseas, it set a world lifting record with the successful removal of a 24,000-tonne oil platform belonging to Shell UK in the North Sea.
The vessel is headed to assist on the Turkish Stream pipeline project, which will start from Anapa in Russia and cover a 900-kilometre route under the Black Sea to reach Thrace on the Turkish coast. The gas pipelines are also planned to extend as far as southern and southeastern Europe.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
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A criminal investigation into a Swiss media editor and a former health ministry official over leaked government Covid pandemic strategy is to be closed.
‘James Bond’ Schilthorn summit re-opens in Switzerland
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The summit of the Schilthorn mountain in Switzerland will be accessible again from Saturday after being closed for five months.
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The Swiss Senate wants to tighten laws to both restrict the movement of asylum seekers being investigated for crimes and to expel the guilty.
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Swiss Federal Railways eyes 40 strong high-speed train fleet to service international destinations, such as Italy and France.
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Driven by purchases abroad, e-commerce in Switzerland continues to grow, with sales approacheing the CHF15 billion markin 2024.
Switzerland close to further restricting tobacco advertising
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Switzerland moves a step closer to restricting tobacco advertising in the print media as one chamber of parliament votes in favour of measures.
Swiss researchers improve therapy for paralysed patients
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New Swiss government minister Martin Pfister says he is prepared for the defence mandate sif he be asked to take on the vacant role.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.