BigLift names new heavy lift vessel ‘Happy Star’

BigLift Shipping has celebrated the name-giving of its new Heavy Lift Vessel Happy Star.

The ceremony was held at Huisman China’s yard in Xiamen and was performed by Leanda Breakell, spouse of Greg Breakell, Managing Director of ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Happy Star is the latest addition to BigLift Shipping’s fleet of Heavy Lift Vessels. She was built by Ouhua Shipbuilding in China. With her 29 m wide deck and two 900 mt heavy lift mast cranes she will be the new flag ship. Together with Happy Sky, the Happy S Series is now complete.

Happy Star features two 900 mt Heavy Lift Mast Cranes – built by Huisman and installed at Huisman China’s yard in Xiamen – which make her excellently geared for the handling of heavy cargoes all over the world, the company says.

With her high crane pedestals and lengthened jib she has a lifting height unmatched in the worldwide fleet of heavy lift vessels, the company said in the release. Happy Star is 156 m long and has 18.374 dwt. Her length and the forward position of her superstructure offer a single, large cargo hold and a wide, open deck area. She has pontoon type hatch 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 metres. 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.

BigLift said in the statement that the company is very pleased to start operating this vessel. Her joining the fleet increases BigLift’s capabilities in the top segment of heavy lift transportation and strengthens BigLift’s position in the world as a leading heavy lift and project cargo vessel operator and owner, BigLift notes.

The first voyage will take Happy Star from Nantong to Port Hedland, Australia.

With Happy Star, BigLift’s fleet comprises 15 heavy lift vessels with lifting capacities up to 1,800 mt.