On the evening of October 11, the semi-submersible COSCO heavy-lift vessel Xiang Tai Kou arrived at Leith carrying foundations destined for offshore wind farms. At about 231 m in length and 46 m in beam, its dimensions far exceeded the constraints of the Leith inner harbor and lock approach. The ship berthed on a deepwater outer pier just seaward of the lock complex, unintentionally blocking access for other vessels.
Meanwhile, Helliar, a freight vessel critical for transporting Shetland’s seafood, livestock, and perishables, was exiting dry dock at Leith. But because Xiang Tai Kou obstructed the channel and lock gates, Helliar could not maneuver past the massive ship, essentially being trapped until the pathway could be cleared.
This unexpected bottleneck coincided with peak export season. With passenger ferries already booked for holiday traffic, alternative freight capacity was insufficient to absorb the delay. The Shetland Times reported serious concerns over spoilage, lost sales, and reputational damage for producers.
Why a Chinese Heavy-Lift Ship Came to Leith
Heavy-lift and semi-submersible vessels are specialized ships designed to carry extremely large and heavy cargo that cannot be loaded conventionally. They submerge by ballast, receive the cargo, and then de-ballast to lift the load clear of the water (float-on/float-off operations). Xiang Tai Kou is one such vessel, part of COSCO’s specialized heavy transport fleet.The ship was commissioned late in 2023 to expand COSCO’s capability to haul oversized modules such as wind turbine foundations.
Its visit to Leith was not spontaneous: the loading and delivery of wind-farm components (monopile foundations and jackets) require port infrastructure with deep draft, open berths, and staging areas. Xiang Tai Kou was executing a preplanned delivery schedule, and Forth Ports maintains that this schedule had been communicated to port users well ahead.
However, what appears to have been underappreciated was the interaction of that scheduling with the timing of Helliar’s dry-dock exit. The overlapping windows created a conflict in the narrow lock/channel geometry that could not safely accommodate both maneuvers simultaneously.
Rescue Operation and Restoration of Service
Once the seriousness of the disruption became clear, pressure came from Shetland exporters, the Scottish government, and political representatives. The port operator, Forth Ports, responded by expediting unloading operations aboard Xiang Tai Kou to vacate the obstructed zone as swiftly as possible.
On the morning of October 16 at about 08:00, Xiang Tai Kou cast off and briefly moved into the Firth of Forth, clearing space for Helliar to depart toward Aberdeen. Helliar eventually left Leith at 07:30 that same day and was expected to resume its regular Shetland schedule by the following day.
To maintain freight flow during the delay, NorthLink had chartered a relief vessel, Arrow, to carry some cargo loads. Meanwhile, the Scottish transport ministry reportedly intervened to steer a rapid resolution and is calling for a review of the scheduling protocols between port operators and island lifeline services.
Looking Ahead: Lessons from the Blockade
This episode underscores the delicate balance in island economies: just one misplaced schedule can jeopardize export chains, particularly for perishable goods. The collision of large-scale infrastructure logistics (wind farm components) with local supply lines demands tighter coordination among shipping companies, port authorities, and regional transport agencies.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
