BigLift Shipping has been contracted by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) for the transportation of various cargoes to support the 2021/22 Australian Antarctic Program. The Happy D-type vessel has been picked for the job for its extended cargo carrying capacity and passenger facilities.

The cargo included a workboat / barge, containers, sledges and transverse equipment, and general supplies, BigLift Shipping informed. Furthermore, AAD requested to take on board a maximum of 12 passengers along with the consignment.

Happy Dragon is part of BigLift Shipping’s Happy D-type fleet. These are flexible, heavy lift vessels equipped with two NMF cranes with a SWL of 400 mt and one NMF crane with a SWL of 120 mt.

Happy Dragon reported in Hobart, Australia before December 15, 2021, where the passengers boarded and all cargoes was loaded, BigLift informed in its latest BigNews. The vessel’s re-delivery is planned for second half of March 2022 also in Hobart, Australia. From Hobart the vessel set sail to the Antarctic, where she will call in at Davis and Casey stations and optionally at Mawson station to deliver various cargoes and people.

To be able to perform well in the Antarctic, Happy Dragon was made fully Polar Code compliant. The grade of bunkers during the voyage will only be MDO to comply with international regulations for the avoidance of HFO fuel beyond 60º South. Sufficient bunker capacity for at least 65 days was taken onboard so that the longest anticipated voyage on the schedule is covered.