PHOTOS: ‘M/V Happy Star’ Transports Eleven Tugs from Asia to Europe

Damen Shipyards and BigLift Shipping have transported eleven Damen tugs from Vietnam and China to Europe in a single voyage.

This undertaking was completed in less than two months, half the usual six-month planning and organizing period for such voyages.

The operationused BigLift’s heavy lift vessel, the Happy Star, a 156-metre heavy lift ship, equipped with two heavy lift mast cranes each capable of lifting 1100 mt. The Happy Star sailed from Halong Bay, Vietnam, on April 4th, arrived in Vigo, Spain, 38 days later to unload one tug, and then continued to Rotterdam to unload the remaining ten.

Such mass deliveries are rare due to the logistical challenges of having multiple vessels ready for dispatch simultaneously. The last time a similar event occurred was in 2015, with the Happy Star transporting 22 vessels.

Mass deliveries of vessels like this are rare, but not unheard of. In 2015, the Happy Star transported 22 vessels of various types on the same route.

Using mass delivery method provides benefits such as pristine condition of vessels and equipment, reduced environmental impact due to fewer emissions.

“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,” said Sanne Wiegerink, Commercial Manager at BigLift Shipping.

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