"Solitaire", the largest in the world of its kind, in Las Palmas

It is called “Solitaire” and it is the largest in the world of its kind. It is a vessel designed and built for pipe laying, featuring a huge and powerful crane that extends 148 m from the hull, which measures 300 m. It holds the record for laying pipes at a depth of 2,700 m and under normal circumstances can cover nine kilometers daily in its specialty.

It is operated by the Dutch company Allseas Group and is docked at the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where it is undergoing repairs and resupply before continuing its journey to Brazil. At least 50% of its crew is Spanish, mainly from Galicia, out of a total of 420.

Originally, it was a bulk carrier named “Trentwood”, built in Japan and put into service in 1972. Between 1996 and 1998, it was transformed at the Swan Hunter shipyard and has been refurbished several times to update its equipment and meet international demand. It registers 59,193 gross tons and 129,479 deadweight tons.

Detail of the imposing crane located at the stern

Photos: Marcelo González / facebook