A Dutch cargo ship loaded with three huge bridge cranes passes under the Suzhou-Nantong Bridge on Oct 9. [Photo/ntfabu.com]
A Dutch cargo ship loaded with three huge bridge cranes smoothly passed through the Nantong section of the Yangtze River on Oct 9, setting a new record as the widest ship sailing on the river.
The ship alone is 173 meters long and 42 m wide. But the three bridge cranes it was carrying extending 137.34 m above the water surface.
The previous record was 131.9 m set on April 19, 2013.
The bridge cranes were produced by a Nantong heavy equipment manufacturer for the Port of Savannah in the United States.
Officials said the Nantong maritime safety department attached great importance to the crane shipment and arranged a panel of experts to work out a comprehensive plan in advance.
A group of skilled navigators were also on board the ship for the entire journey.
After five hours of travel, the ship arrived at a port in the Baoshan district of Shanghai and later headed for the US.
