Biggest Floating Dry Dock in the world.

Sept 2025 : Zhonghai Emeishan is the biggest floating dry dock in the world, built to repair & construct very large ships and support the maritime industry of China. It has advanced features and is highly automated, with its construction costing 580 million Yuan.

It was put together in Yangzhou, China, and though sources do not name a specific construction company involved in its construction, it involved significant local government participation, and was launched in September 2008 in the august presence of the City’s Mayor.

An example of fine Chinese engineering, as it was built in just 416 days and delivered to the Shanghai Changxing ship repair base in October 2008; the largest floating dry dock in the world is 410 metres long and 82 metres wide. It has a moulded depth of 28 metres, a displacement of 42,000 tons, and a lifting capacity of 85,000 tons.

It was designed to operate in sheltered waters, per international conventions and classification society regulations. Zhonghai Emeishan features wing walls, a pontoon deck and connecting towers to give it stability and strength. Its flexible design enables it to handle a wide range of vessel types and sizes. Its advanced hydraulic systems enable it to lift and lower ships, ensuring safe operations. Automated systems allow for monitoring, controls and safety, including advanced sensors. The structure has robust mooring and towing systems and measures like cathodic protection to minimise corrosion.

Massive vessels are floated into the facility, which is then drained to enable repair or construction work.

Another large floating dry dock is operated by Vigor Industrial in Seattle, servicing ferries, fishing boats, barges, military vessels and offshore oil and gas ships.

The three dry docks are Vigilant, which is 161 metres long with 13,000 tons lifting capacity. The second one is called Resolute, which is 168 metres long, and can lift 18,000 tons. The third one is a 195 metres long Evolution floating dry dock, which can lift 22,000 tons. The facility covers 27 acres with 15,800 m2 dedicated to covered fabrication and shops. It has 6 piers spanning 900 m and 12 cranes with a 150-ton capacity.

The largest floating dry dock operated by Vigor in the U.S is the ‘Vigorous’, which lies at their Portland, Oregon facility. It is 292.2 m long and is 56.7 m wide, with a lifting capacity of 80,000 tons. It was built by the Daoda Marine Heavy Industry Company (DDHI), Jiangsu, China and delivered in 2014.

Subic Bay Floating Dry Dock No. 5 is one of the largest floating dry docks in the world and the biggest in the Philippines. It is situated in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and handles both commercial and naval vessels. It is 370 metres long and 100 metres wide with a 12.5 metres depth. These dimensions make it one of the widest floating dry docks in the world, capable of accommodating ultra-large ships, such as tankers, naval ships and container vessels.

Subic Bay’s deep natural harbour and its proximity to vital shipping routes make it a strategically important facility. It is regarded as the largest floating dry dock in Southeast Asia and attracts vessels from across the world.

Team Maverick