BigLift Shipping celebrates golden jubilee
In 2023, BigLift celebrated 50 years in several places, all over the world. Crews, agents, office personnel and clients were invited to join in, to mark this special year. In the half century of its existence, BigLift Shipping has prepared and accomplished countless challenging shipments and has developed into one of the world’s leaders in heavy cargo transportation by sea.
In 1973 the company started as Mammoet Shipping, part of Mammoet Transport, and built up a wealth of experience in heavy lift shipping. After its acquisition by Spliethoff in 2001, Mammoet Shipping became BigLift Shipping and a combined fleet of multipurpose and heavy lift vessels was created to transport breakbulk cargoes, heavy lift cargoes, project cargoes and yachts. This synergy within the Spliethoff Group has meanwhile proved its value.
From its foundation, Mammoet Shipping was one of the forerunners of heavy lift shipping through its enterprising attitude in engineering and finding appropriate vessels, developing heavy lift shipping as it happened. The first dedicated vessel was mv Happy Pioneer, which was kitted out with a 250 mt derrick and a loading ramp at the stern, allowing cargoes of up to 800 mt to be rolled on and off. More vessels were to follow, each of which proudly displayed the company’s distinctive yellow house colour.
The most extraordinary vessel in BigLift's history must be m.v. Happy Buccaneer. She is now called the "grand old lady" of the fleet and was already groundbreaking upon her delivery in 1984. She was the first heavy lift vessel to feature two specially developed Huisman heavy lift mast cranes, starting out with an unmatched capacity of 1,100 mt which was lateron upgraded to 1400 mt and with her extra-ordinarily strong decks she took on many a heavy cargo.
Still going strong today, after 40 years of faithful service, Happy Buccaneer can justifiably be called one of the most successful heavy lift vessels of all time.
In 1984, the company's entrepreneurial vision led to the establishment of the first heavy lift pool. With reputable partners, the pool operated a fleet of 16 heavy cargo vessels. From this point onwards, it was impossible to imagine the world of heavy marine transportation without the company.
BigLift’s innovative culture, with safety at its core, has made the company a frontrunner in its markets for 50 years. Owing to its dedicated employees and crews, BigLift retains the spirit of entrepreneurship that has been in its DNA since its foundation. Today, BigLift continues to push the boundaries of maritime heavy cargo transportation.
Presently, BigLift operates a modern fleet of module carriers and heavy cargo vessels, with maximum lifting capacities of 2,200 mt, almost ten times higher than the Happy Pioneer in 1973.
The company looks towards the future with confidence and continues to build on its strong position in the market, taking on many excellent challenges with its customers and further partners in the decades to come.