BBC DUBAI - Inaugural transit into Lake Erie

[jeff of pa]

Aug 11, 2025

There was a lot of hype about this new ship over the days leading up to her arrival on Lake Erie.And she did not disappoint.Her journey started from Tuticorin, India, before arriving in Montreal QC earlier in the month.After departing Montreal, she then completed her first transit of the St. Lawrence Maritime Way before crossing across Lake Ontario and then entering the Welland Canal for the first time.I caught up with this huge ship as she exited the Welland canal and headed out on to Lake Erie for the first time.She is definitely the biggest ship that I have seen on Lake Erie, in Height, but not in length.An amazing sight and of course, I got up close, very close.Once out on Lake Erie, I actually caught the Anchor being dropped!

 

[DizzyDigger]

Huge! Not sure it's all that new when looking at the scrapes on the sides.

 

[jeff of pa]

Huge! Not sure it's all that new when looking at the scrapes on the sides.

Maybe underestimating it's size at Times

 

[pepperj]

Huge! Not sure it's all that new when looking at the scrapes on the sides.

The BBC DUBAI is a Lakermax type heavy lift vessel built in 2024, sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. It is part of the BBC Chartering fleet and is known for its triple-deck design and two Liebherr cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 500 tonnes. The ship recently made its inaugural transit into Lake Erie, carrying wind turbine blades to Erie, Pennsylvania.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Type: Heavy Lift Vessel (also classified as a General Cargo Ship).
  
  
• Built: 2024.
  
  
• Flag: Antigua and Barbuda.
  
  
• Capacity: 13,000 dwt (deadweight tonnage).
  
  
• Features: Triple-deck design, two Liebherr LS 250 shipboard cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 500 tonnes.
  
  
• Purpose: Designed for transporting project cargo, including wind turbine blades, as evidenced by its recent trip to Erie, Pennsylvania.
  
  
• Naming: The Lakermax series, including the BBC DUBAI, are named after BBC Chartering office locations to emphasize the company's global reach.