BigLift Shipping has completed 10 heavy lift voyages for the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF), concluding its transport and discharge scope for the Canadian project.
The terminal is being developed by AltaGas and Vopak on Ridley Island in Northern British Columbia. REEF is under construction as a large-scale LPG and bulk liquids export terminal with supporting marine infrastructure.
The transport campaign began in June 2024. It used four vessels from the Spliethoff Group subsidiary’s fleet: Happy Dragon, Pottersgracht, Happy Star, and Happy Sky.
Cargo carried during the campaign included steel structures, marine piles, specialised equipment, jetty modules, a transition platform, and pipe rack modules.
During the first phase, Happy Dragon transported steel structures, marine piles, and other equipment. The marine piles varied in length, diameter, and weight, requiring detailed cargo planning for the voyage.
Vessel schedules were adjusted during the campaign to match the project’s installation sequence. Coordination with the project team also allowed the cargo to be discharged in the required order.
The second phase started with the delivery of the first two jetty trestle modules aboard Pottersgracht. The modules form part of the liquids export piers connecting the shoreline to the offshore loading facility.
Later voyages by Happy Star and Happy Sky transported and installed the remaining 11 trestle modules and the transition platform. The vessels also carried pipe rack modules connecting the rail offload racks to the uplands facility.
BigLift Shipping prepared separate cargo arrangements for each voyage to increase vessel intake while meeting safety requirements.
Its engineering team also designed a temporary mooring system for reuse at several locations within the marine spread. The system provided a standard method for positioning vessels during offshore installation work.
The completion of the 10 voyages marks the end of BigLift Shipping’s transport and discharge work for the REEF project.
