On September 12, Dutch heavy-lift shipping company BigLift Shipping announced on its official website that it has expanded its fleet of Heavy Transport Vessels (HTVs) to eight by adding two new BC-class 25,000 DWT HTVs in collaboration with its partner CY Shipping. The first vessel, is scheduled for delivery in Q1 2028, followed by the second, in Q3 2028.
As with the initial two BC-Class vessels, newbuilding contracts for the latest additions have been signed with Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding Co., Ltd in China. These vessels—jointly designed by CY Shipping and BigLift Shipping- underscore the strong partnership between the two companies and their shared commitment to innovation in heavy transport.
The first two BC-class HTVs are also being constructed by Jing Jiang Nanyang Shipbuilding. Order details were announced in April 2024, with deliveries scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026. The construction costs for both vessels remain undisclosed.
Engineered to carry ultra-large and heavy modular cargoes across the globe, 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 BC-Class vessel measures 180 meters in length with a beam of 43 meters. The deck spans 43 by 140 meters, 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 meters, 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 introduction of the BC-Class vessels reflects our shared vision with BigLift Shipping: to set new benchmarks in heavy transport services. These vessels not only expand our operational reach but also reinforce our commitment to the market,” said James Jung, Director at CY Shipping.
“With the four BC-Class vessels, we’re not just adding capacity—we’re adding reliability, flexibility, redundancy, and a unified standard of excellence,” added Johan Boer, Commercial Director at BigLift Shipping. “This marks a significant step forward in our mission to deliver innovative heavy transport solutions worldwide.”
According to its official website, BigLift Shipping is part of the Amsterdam-based Spliethoff Group and ranks among the world’s leading heavy-lift shipping companies. Since its founding in 1973, it has specialized in global maritime services for ro-ro vessels, heavy cargo and project cargo.
The company currently operates a diversified fleet of four heavy transport vessels and 20 heavy lift vessels. In partnership with its sister company Spliethoff, BigLift also operates a fleet of over 50 multipurpose vessels for large project cargo operations.