BigLift and CY Shipping turn to China again for two vessels

NETHERLANDS-headquartered BigLift Shipping and South Korea’s CY Shipping have once again turned to a Chinese yard for the construction of two more BC-Class heavy transport vessels.

The 25,000 dwt ships, which will bring the partners’ joint heavy transport fleet to eight units, will be constructed at China’s Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding, and are scheduled for delivery during the first and third quarters of 2028.

The order follows the initial pair of BC-Class HTVs placed at the same yard in April 2024, which are under construction for delivery during the fourth quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026. No contract values have been disclosed for any of the four vessels.

The BC-Class vessels, jointly developed by BigLift and CY Shipping, combine efficient design with operational versatility, allowing full interchangeability with MC-Class vessels while providing enhanced deck space and handling capabilities for ultra large modular cargoes.

The builder behind the ships, Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding, is a mid-sized yard founded in 1995, which has a 360 m × 52 m dry dock and four slipways, capable of building small and medium-sized specialised vessels.

Although sometimes labelled a “second-tier yard” by market sources, its capability and delivery records have won orders from a number of shipowners.

In April this year, Yangzijiang Financial Holdings signed a contract with the yard for up to six 40,000 dwt handy bulk carriers, including four confirmed with two options for additional units.

Commenting on the expansion, BigLift Shipping commercial director Johan Boer said: “With the four BC-Class vessels, we’re not just adding capacity, we’re adding reliability, flexibility, redundancy and a unified standard of excellence.”

BigLift Shipping is part of Amsterdam-based Spliethoff Group and has been active in ro-ro, heavylift, and project cargo shipping since 1973. The company operates a fleet of four heavy transport vessels and 21 heavylift ships.