The REEF joint-venture energy project is being developed off the coast of British Columbia. The delivery of the necessary structures was carried out by Spliethoff’s subsidiary, Biglift. Four ships were deployed for this purpose.
The ‘Ridley Island Export Facility’ (REEF for short) is an export terminal for liquefied gas and bulk commodities at the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia. In future, the terminal is set to be used to export Canadian energy sources such as propane and butane to Asia. It is being operated as a joint venture by the two energy companies Altagas and Vopak, with completion scheduled for later this year.
Since construction began, the terminal has been taking shape. Biglift Shipping, a company within the Spliethoff Group, has also played a significant role in this. From June 2024, Biglift carried out ten project voyages for the project, deploying the vessels ‘Happy Dragon’, ‘Pottersgracht’, ‘Happy Star’ and ‘Happy Sky’.
Ships delivered complex cargo
The project began with the transport of steel structures, foundation piles and specialist equipment on board the “Happy Dragon”. According to Biglift, the logistical challenges included the pre-sorting of hundreds of piles of varying lengths, weights and diameters, as well as the continuous adjustment of timetables to REEF’s delivery and installation requirements.
In the next phase of the project, the ‘Pottersgracht’ delivered the first two bridge modules for the jetty. Also included were modules for the pipe bridge system, which connects the rail unloading stations to the facility in the hinterland (uplands area); Biglift’s ‘Happy S’-class vessels also transported and installed the remaining eleven bridge modules as well as the transfer platform.
Throughout the project, Biglift’s engineering team optimised the loading capacities for each voyage to ensure an efficient cargo configuration whilst maintaining the highest safety standards. The team also developed a mooring system to position the ‘Happy S’-class vessels securely within the offshore convoy. “The system, designed for repeated use at various berths, provided a flexible and cost-effective solution and contributed to safe, stable and efficient installation work,” Biglift stated.
The successful completion of all ten voyages underlines the company’s ability to deliver complex offshore logistics solutions. “Biglift Shipping is proud to have supported the successful delivery of the REEF project through close collaboration, technical expertise and a shared commitment to the project’s success,” the shipping company concluded.
Newbuild ordered in China
Apart from this project, Biglift is continuing to expand its own capacity: in February, the heavy-lift shipping company placed an order for a sister ship to the “Happy Star”, which was also deployed on the REEF project. The vessel is being built by the Chinese shipyard Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co., and there is also an option for a second newbuild.
Together with its Korean partner CY Shipping, Biglift also recently christened the new deck carrier “CY Frontier”.
