SPLIETHOFF Group’s BigLift Shipping and tonnage-sharing partner CY Shipping are expanding their joint fleet of heavy transport vessels to eight, with the placement of orders for two new CB-class vessels for delivery in 2028.
These vessels — jointly designed by CY [Chung Yang] Shipping of South Korea and Amsterdam-based BigLift will be built, as per the first two BC-class ordered in April last year, by Jing Jiang Nanyang Shipbuilding Co., Ltd in China.
The partners say the newbuilds are engineered to carry ultra-large and heavy modular cargoes across the globe, prioritising 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 BC-Class vessels are 180 x 43 metres, with decks 43 by 140 metres, providing a fully unobstructed cargo area of 6,020 m². Cargoes can be loaded and discharged via stern or side using ro-ro or skidding methods. With a depth of 12 metres, a deadweight capacity of 25,000 metric tons, and a ballast system capable of 12,000 m³/hr, these vessels are designed for robust performance, the partners say. The vessels are not semi-submersible.
“The introduction of the BC-Class vessels reflects our shared vision with BigLift Shipping: to set new benchmarks in heavy transport services,” CY Shipping director James Jung said.
Johan Boer, commercial director at BigLift Shipping, said the vessels not only expand the joint venture’s operational reach but also reinforce its commitment to the market.
“With the four BC-Class vessels, we’re not just adding capacity — we’re adding reliability, flexibility, redundancy, and a unified standard of excellence,” he said. “This marks a significant step forward in our mission to deliver innovative heavy transport solutions worldwide.”
The HTV joint fleet, formed in 2029, is commercially-managed by BigLift. As well as the MC class it currently comprised CY Interoceanic I and CY Interoceanic II. The first two BCs, due for delivery in 4Q 25 and 2Q 26, will be followed by the latest pair in Q1 28 and Q3 28.