Damen Shipyards and leading heavy lift specialist BigLift Shipping have pulled off a remarkable logistical achievement. In an impressive display of coordination and efficiency, a single vessel has transported eleven Damen tugs from the shipbuilder’s yards in Vietnam and China all the way to Europe.
What makes this feat even more impressive is the timeline. Typically, such complex voyages take about six months to plan and organize, but this one had less than two months to prepare. The vessel chosen for this monumental task was BigLift’s Happy Star, a 156-meter heavy lift ship equipped with two massive mast cranes, each with a lifting capacity of 1100 metric tons.
The journey began on April 4th when the Happy Star set sail from Halong Bay, Vietnam, heading for Europe. After a 38-day voyage, it arrived in Vigo, Spain, where it unloaded one of the tugs before continuing to Rotterdam. The Happy Star is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam on May 19th to unload the remaining ten tugs.
Mass deliveries like this are rare due to the challenge of coordinating so many vessels to be ready simultaneously. The last comparable event was in 2015, when Happy Star transported 22 vessels of various types on the same route. This method of delivery, while logistically demanding, offers significant benefits. By transporting multiple vessels on a single voyage, the tugs and their equipment arrive in pristine condition, and the marine environment benefits from reduced emissions. These efficiencies align perfectly with Damen’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.
Rimmert Berlijn, Damen Services Heavylift Coordinator, highlights the comprehensive nature of their service: “At Damen, we aim to provide our clients with a holistic service that includes not only building their boats but also delivering them to where they are needed, with the entire process managed by Damen experts. This is all part of being a total maritime solutions provider. In addition, clients taking advantage of this service also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their vessels are fully covered by Damen’s warranty program right from the start.”
Sanne Wiegerink, Commercial Manager at BigLift Shipping, described the voyage as a prime example of Dutch excellence. “The Happy Star, one of the Netherlands’ premier heavy lift vessels, transporting tugs for a distinguished Dutch shipbuilder, ultimately serving various Dutch clients. We take immense pride in our contribution to this remarkable project.”
