BigLift Shipping commemorates its 50th year of excellence in the realm of heavy cargo transportation across the seas. Since its inception in 1973 as Mammoet Shipping, a subsidiary of Mammoet Transport, the company has evolved into a global leader, specializing in breakbulk cargoes, heavy lifts, project cargoes, and yacht transportation.
In 2001, a transformative acquisition by Spliethoff led to the renaming of the company as BigLift Shipping. This move synergized a formidable fleet of multipurpose and heavy lift vessels, solidifying the company’s pivotal role within the Spliethoff Group.
Mammoet Shipping swiftly ascended to prominence in heavy lift shipping with the introduction of the MV Pioneer, a vessel equipped with a 250 mt derrick and a loading ramp, enabling the seamless transport of cargoes weighing up to 800 mt. This inaugural success set the stage for a succession of vessels, each proudly adorned in the company’s signature yellow hue.
A beacon in BigLift’s illustrious history is the MV Happy Buccaneer, a vessel of unparalleled distinction upon its delivery in 1984. It proudly boasted two Huisman heavy lift mast cranes, a pioneering feat with a combined lifting capacity of 1,100 mt. After 39 years of unwavering service, the Happy Buccaneer stands as a testament to unparalleled success in the realm of heavy lift vessels.
In 1984, the company’s visionary ethos gave rise to the establishment of the first heavy lift pool, comprising 16 vessels in partnership with industry stalwarts. This consortium reshaped the landscape of heavy lift shipping, firmly entrenching BigLift as a cornerstone of the industry.
For five decades, BigLift’s culture of innovation, anchored in a bedrock of safety, has propelled it to the forefront of the market. With a dedicated team of employees and crews, the company retains the entrepreneurial spirit that has defined its DNA since its inception. Today, BigLift continues to redefine the boundaries of heavy lift shipping, exemplified by the recent triumph of the Happy Sky in transporting a colossal 1,600 mt Gusto/NOV leg crane for Cadeler from Korea to the Netherlands.
With a contemporary fleet of module carriers and heavy cargo vessels boasting a maximum lifting capacity of 2,200 mt—nearly ten times that of the Happy Pioneer—BigLift embraces the future with confidence. The company eagerly anticipates further fortifying its market position and embarking on new, extraordinary ventures alongside its valued customers and partners in the decades ahead.
