The “CY Frontier” is the first of a total of four new BC-class heavy-lift deck carriers. This marks a further step in the partnership between the Dutch and Korean companies Biglift and CY Shipping.
The christening of the new “CY Frontier” took place in Amsterdam and, according to a joint statement by the heavy-lift shipping companies, marks a milestone for their joint fleet. Both partners intend to continue investing in order to meet the growing global demand for transport in the offshore, energy and industrial sectors.
The BC class was jointly designed by the Dutch company Biglift (a Spliethoff subsidiary) and CY Shipping from South Korea, which have been working together since 2019. Vessels in this class are 180 m long and 43 m wide. The usable cargo deck covers an area of 6,020 m2 (43 m by 140 m). However, these newbuilds are not semi-submersibles.
The ships can be loaded and unloaded both via the stern and via the side using RoRo and skidding methods. The deadweight tonnage is 25,000 t; the ballast system has a capacity of 12,000 m3 per hour and features a tidal compensation system, which is said to make the vessels “ideal for heavy-lift transport and module installation projects”.
The “CY Shipping” will be followed by three further newbuilds. Delivery of the ‘Biglift Pioneer’ is already scheduled for later this year. They are being built at the Chinese shipyard Jing Jiang Nanyang Shipbuilding.
Compatible with other vessels in the fleet
The BC-class vessels are fully compatible with Biglift Shipping’s MC-class vessels, the “Biglift Barentsz” and the “Biglift Baffin”. Comparable frame spacing, side heights, ballast systems and operational capabilities ensure seamless interchangeability between the two classes, the companies announced. At the same time, the BC class offers a longer cargo deck and improved stern-loading capabilities, providing customers with even greater operational flexibility and broadening the range of possible projects.
“The christening of the ‘CY Frontier’ is an important milestone for CY Shipping and Biglift Shipping,” said James Jung, Director at CY Shipping. “It reflects the strong partnership between our companies, as well as our shared commitment to providing our customers with innovative and reliable heavy-lift solutions.”
“The BC-class marks the next step in the development of our heavy-lift fleet,” added Johan Boer, Managing Director at BigLift. “By combining the proven performance characteristics of our existing vessels with increased cargo capacity, greater flexibility and improved operational efficiency, the BC Class enables us to support increasingly complex transport projects worldwide.”
With the delivery of the “Biglift Pioneer” scheduled for later this year and the entry into service of the remaining BC-class vessels over the next two years, the two companies’ heavy-lift fleet will grow to a total of eight vessels. “This expanded fleet will further strengthen our technical transport solutions and enable us to support our customers with even greater flexibility, capacity and reliability,” said Boer.
