BBC Chartering, a global market leader specializing in the ocean transportation of heavy lifts and project cargo, has christened the MV BBC HOUSTON, the second in a series of fifteen 13,000DWT “LakerMax” multipurpose triple-decker vessels. The festive naming ceremony took place at the Port of Houston on Monday, marking a significant milestone for the company. The event, held at the Manchester Terminal, was attended by BBC Chartering’s clients, business partners, and colleagues.
In a symbolic moment, Godmother Daniela Pena Kopfensteiner, a chartering broker at BBC Chartering USA, wished the vessel “fair winds and following seas” as the Champagne bottle broke successfully on the first attempt, following maritime tradition. The event celebrated the vessel’s future as a key addition to BBC Chartering’s fleet.
Maiden Voyage Success
Before the christening event, the MV BBC HOUSTON had already completed her maiden voyage, transporting a cargo of air coolers and accessories from China to New Orleans, Louisiana. The vessel then sailed to various berths in Houston, loading additional cargo before arriving at the Manchester Terminal for the ceremony. Immediately after the celebrations, the BBC HOUSTON departed for her next destination—Kolkata, India.
Tim Kopfensteiner, President and CEO of BBC Chartering USA LLC expressed his pride during the event “Naming the BBC HOUSTON in her namesake port after completion of her maiden voyage felt like more than the right thing to do. It was a real pleasure to finally see this ground-breaking vessel for us, and being able to show it to our customer friends and partners made us really proud.”
Godmother Daniela Pena Kopfensteiner added her sentiment, saying: “It was an honor to be a part of this celebration, and I hope she will serve and protect her crew for many years to come.”
Vessel Specifications and Environmental Benefits
The MV BBC HOUSTON is a highly efficient multipurpose triple-decker vessel with a lifting capacity of up to 500 metric tons. One of her standout features is the optimized deck layout, which, combined with the forward location of the bridge and accommodation, provides an unobstructed 2,830 square meters of space on the weather deck. With 26,000 cubic meters and 5,500 square meters of covered floor space, the vessel offers significant cargo space for a variety of operations.
In addition to her impressive cargo-carrying capabilities, the BBC HOUSTON boasts eco-friendly features, using less fuel than vessels of similar dimensions. This results in up to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per ton of cargo carried, positioning the vessel as a sustainable option for global maritime logistics.
The MV BBC HOUSTON, like her sister vessels, represents a significant investment in both advanced vessel technology and environmental performance, making her a valuable asset in the future of multipurpose shipping.
This christening marks another chapter in the company’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence and environmental responsibility. With the MV BBC HOUSTON now part of their fleet, BBC Chartering continues to drive forward advancements in global shipping while promoting greener, more efficient logistics.
About BBC Chartering
BBC Chartering, headquartered in Leer, Germany, is a global market leader specializing in the ocean transportation of heavy lifts and project cargo. With a diverse fleet of over 140 multipurpose heavy-lift vessels, ranging from 4,000 to 40,000 DWT and featuring lifting capacities of up to 800 metric tons, BBC Chartering is equipped to handle the most challenging and complex shipments. The company operates a global network of more than 30 offices, providing comprehensive support for charterers in the planning and execution of transport orders, whether for tramp or liner services, across all major shipping routes worldwide. Known for reliability and innovation, BBC Chartering is committed to delivering tailored logistics solutions that meet the diverse needs of its global clients.
Source BBC Chartering