The drilling rig Ensco 85 was yesterday loaded on the heavy lift semi-submersible ship Xiang Rui Kou in St Paul's Bay and will shortly start its long, slow journey to Singapore.

Prior to its departure the rig will require 48 hours of continuous welding by a team of expert Maltese welders to secure it to the carrying ship.

The journey around the Cape of Good Hope to Singapore will take 36 days. The rig cannot pass through the Suez Canal as its legs are too high to pass under a bridge built over the canal.

Both vessels are represented in Malta by Cassar & Cooper.

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