MV Target is a semi-submersible heavy transport ship.

History

Built in 1990 as a tanker

Tanker (ship)

A tanker is a ship designed to transport liquids in bulk. Major types of tankship include the oil tanker, the chemical tanker, and the liquefied natural gas carrier.-Background:...

, MV Jahre Target, MV Target is the second of six single hull tankers to be converted into heavy lift vessels. After completing submerging and sea trials, the former sealift

Sealift

Sealift is a term used predominantly in military logistics and refers to the use of cargo ships for the deployment of military assets, such as weaponry, vehicles, military personnel, and supplies...

 vessel was delivered to the new owners, Dockwise

Dockwise

-History:Dockwise was formed in September 1993 by the merger of two complementary companies, Wijsmuller Transport and Dock Express Shipping , becoming the world's largest seagoing heavy transport shipping company. The combined company operated from a new headquarters in Meer , Belgium...

 on 24 December 2007.

Design

MV Target was converted at the COSCO

COSCO

China Ocean Shipping Company, known as COSCO or COSCO Group, is one of the largest liner shipping companies worldwide. It is a government owned company of the People's Republic of China...

 shipyard in Nantong

Nantong

Nantong is a prefecture-level city in Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China. Located on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, near the river mouth, Nantong is a vital river port bordering Yancheng to the north, Taizhou to the west, Suzhou and Shanghai to the south across the river, and...

, China. A new mid section was fitted to the bow and aft sections of the single-hull tanker. She has a carrying capacity in excess of 35,000 tons and an unobstructed deck area measuring 44.5 m x 130 m.

Service

MV Target is designed to transport complex, high-value cargo, including semi-submersible and jack-up drilling units, as well as offshore structures. She is managed by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management

Anglo-Eastern Group

Peter Nash established Anglo-Eastern in 1974, initially as a chartering and ship owning organization - with Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Services being the in-house manager of the ships...

 who provide technical and crew management.

In 2009, MV Target transported the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

 ice-strengthened survey ship, from the Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...

 to Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...

.