BigLift and CY’s new Frontier of heavy lift vessels unveiled

The first in a new series of heavy transport ships being built for BigLift Shipping and CY Shipping has been christened, as the Dutch and South Korean partners prepare to expand their capacity for offshore energy and industrial cargoes.

CY Frontier, the first of four BC-Class heavy transport vessels (HTVs), was named at a ceremony attended by representatives of the two companies and Chinese builder Jing Jiang Nanyang Shipbuilding. The remaining three vessels are under construction, with the second ship, BigLift Pioneerdue for delivery later this year.

The new class has been developed to serve the growing market for transporting increasingly large offshore structures, industrial modules and energy-related cargoes.

‘Increase operational flexibility’

At 180 m long and 43 m wide, the vessels feature a 6,020 sq m unobstructed cargo deck designed to accommodate oversized project cargo. They can load and discharge cargoes over both the stern and the side using ro-ro and skidding methods. The ships have a deadweight of 25,000 tonnes and ballast systems intended to support heavy transport and module installation operations.

According to the companies, the BC-Class has been designed to operate alongside the Spliethoff Group-owned BigLift‘s existing MC-Class vessels, while offering a longer cargo deck and improved stern-loading capability to increase operational flexibility.

James Jungdirector of CY Shippingsaid the christening marked “an important milestone” for the partnership. “It reflects the strong partnership between our companies and our shared commitment to delivering innovative and reliable heavy transport solutions for our customers,” he added.

Complex projects

The new class would allow the partners to support “increasingly complex transport projects around the world”, said Johan Boer, managing director of BigLift Shipping.

Once all four BC-Class vessels have entered service – expected by mid-2028 – BigLift Shipping and CY Shipping will operate a combined fleet of eight HTVs.