BigLift Shipping Christens New Flagship

BigLift Shipping today celebrated the naming of its new heavy lift vessel, Happy Star, at a ceremony held at Huisman China’s yard in Xiamenand. The christening was performed by Leanda Breakell, spouse of Greg Breakell, Managing Director of ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Built by Ouhua Shipbuilding in China, Happy Star completes BigLift Shipping’s fleet of Happy S Series heavy lift vessels and will be the company’s new flagship.

With her 29m wide deck, Happy Star features two 900mT heavy lift mast cranes – built by Huisman and installed at Huisman China’s yard in Xiamen – which make the ship geared for the handling of heavy cargos all over the world. With her high crane pedestals and lengthened jib she has a lifting height unmatched in the worldwide fleet of heavy lift vessels. Happy Star is 156m long and has 18.374dwt. Her length and the forward position of her superstructure offer a single, large cargo hold and a wide, open deck area. She has pontoon typehatch covers and a large poop deck which make the vessel’s full deck area available for cargo stowage.

Happy Star’s tween deck is adjustable in height and she is allowed to sail with open weather deck hatches at a draught of up to 8 meters. Furthermore, she has Finnish/Swedish 1A Ice Class notation. During sea trials Happy Star achieved a service speed of 16.6 kn at 7m draft.

The first voyage will take Happy Star from Nantong to Port Hedland, Australia, with she will discharge two 1,600mT wharf deck modules, each module weighing 1,478mT including lifting gear; the heaviest cargo item the company has lifted so far.

With Happy Star, BigLift’s fleet comprises 15 state-of-the art heavy lift vessels with lifting capacities up to 1,800mT.