The system used to move heavy ship modules. The first STS was installed in Bremer Vulkan Yard, Germany. It is capable of carrying completely equipped ship modules weighing up to 3800 tonnes, measuring up to 52m long, 32.5m wide and 25m high, in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
A slide system 220m long, coated to minimize friction, moves the module horizontally. It interconnects the central construction areas, such as pre-assembly, central outfitting hall and the building dock. After completion of the outfitting work, the ship module resting on the sledge is moved out next to the building dock on the slides and shifted transversely to a lift system installed in the building dock which lowers the module 14m to the dock floor.