BigLift places big order

THE NETHERLANDS’ BigLift Shipping, part of the Spliethoff Group, has turned to China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co for what it calls “a strategic expansion” of its heavylift fleet.

Scheduled for delivery in June 2028, the vessel will be a full and improved sistership of the 2014-built Happy Star and strengthen BigLift’s capacity to meet growing global demand for heavy lift and project cargo transport, the company says.

The initial order is for one vessel, with an option for a second, and as a next-generation sister vessels, they will incorporate a range of optimisations and enhancements aligned with the latest regulatory requirements and technological advancements, ensuring it is fully future-ready, BigLift says.

“This newbuild is a bold and welcome addition to our fleet, empowering BigLift’s commitment to pushing the limits of heavy lift shipping,” said BigLift Shipping managing director, Johan Boer.

“With this vessel, we are fully prepared to handle the most demanding heavy lift projects, delivering exceptional service to our customers worldwide while ensuring ample redundancy for every operation.”

The vessel will feature advanced lifting capabilities, including tandem lifts of up to 2,200 mt. Its full-width weather deck and adjustable tweendeck ensure optimal cargo space, while two 1,100 mt heavy lift mast cranes, supplied by Huisman, provide unmatched lifting height and outreach, BigLift claims.

Built to Finnish/Swedish 1A Ice Class standards, the vessel is equipped to operate safely and efficiently in demanding conditions around the globe.

“With this newbuild, BigLift Shipping further strengthens its position as a provider of engineered heavy lift and transport solutions and underlines its confidence in the continued growth of the global heavy-lift and project cargo market,” the company said.

In September last year BigLift, along with South Korean partner CY Shipping, announced orders for two further BC-class Heavy Lift Transports engineered to carry ultra-large and heavy modular cargoes.

The partners say the BC-Class vessels prioritise reliable service speed, low accelerations, and efficient loading and discharge operations. Thanks to their similar frame spacing, depth, ballast systems, and tidal compensation capabilities, the new vessels will be fully interchangeable with BigLift’s MC-Class vessels, BigLift Barentsz and BigLift Baffin, while offering extended deck length and enhanced stern-loading functionality.

The keel for BigLift’s vessel, BigLift Pioneer, was laid at Jing Jiang Nanyang Shipbuilding in December 2025.