A world leader in the transport of heavy lift and project cargoes, Germany’s BBC Chartering has opened the door to a new era with the introduction of a new 10-strong fleet of heavy-lift, multipurpose vessels.

“The design of the BBC LakerMax ships has been optimized to fit both the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes,” BBC Chartering indicated in the latest edition of its in-house magazine. Hence all ships bear a Laker identity in the name.

“These cutting-edge triple-deckers represent a significant leap forward in the world of heavy-lift and project cargo transportation, manifesting our commitment to reliability, efficiency, and innovation,” the company said.

The ships are equipped with a 6,000 kW MAN B&W engine that offers an eco-friendly service speed of 15.6 knots, according to BBC Chartering.

The company will take delivery of 10 LakerMax, 13,000 dwt MPPs starting  this April until 2026. 

The BBC Leer will the first vessel  in a series of ships that will be equipped with two powerful Liebherr LS 250 cranes, capable of lifting up to 500 metric tons with a maximum hoist of 36.0 meters. The crew accommodation and bridge are at the front of the ship, while all on-deck facilities are located on the portside. This design allows for an unobstructed weather deck of 2,830 square meters.

With a nominal TEU capacity of 970 containers and certified to operate with open hatch covers, the BBC LakerMax vessels have two box-shaped cargo holds, which can accommodate up to 25,795 cubic meters of cargo on a floor space of up to 4,850 square meters. They also have two tween decks in operation. Compared to existing tonnage, these cargo spaces have a higher capacity which allows for up to 30% reduction in GHG emissions per freight ton carried.

The cargo hold of the vessel has three decks and can accommodate cargo units of up to 104.3 meters in length and 18.2 meters in width under the deck. The hatch covers and tweendecks can support loads of up to 4.0 metric tons per square meter, while the tanktop can handle up to 20.0 metric tons per square meter, and in some parts, up to 25.0 metric tons per square meter.

The LakerMax ships of BBC are designed to cater to the varied requirements of clients from various industries. The company says they offer a versatile solution for transporting gigantic machinery, oversized components required for energy projects, or critical infrastructure materials. Their adaptability makes them suitable for transporting different types of cargo.

(Photo from BBC Chartering)