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 company will take delivery of 10 LakerMax, 13,000 dwt MPPs starting spring 2024 until 2026. 

“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 in its latest edition of the company magazine “BBC Navigator“.

The LakerMax MPPs

The BBC Leer is the first vessel in a series of ships that come 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.

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.

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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 vessels are certified to sail ‘open-top‘, i.e. to operate with open hatch covers.

Versatility

The BBC LakerMax ships have been designed to fit both the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes. They 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 LakerMax ships of BBC are specifically designed to cater to the varied requirements of clients from various industries. 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.

“Our focus on flexibility ensures that our clients can rely on the BBC ‘LakerMax‘ fleet to deliver tailored and efficient logistics solutions for their unique challenges,” the company said.