Germany’s SAL Heavy Lift is strengthening its fleet with two modern semi-submersible deck carriers on a long-term charter deal with Shanghai Salvage in China.
The 2022-built Zhong Ren 121 and Zhong Ren 122 will be delivered in Shanghai between December 2023 and February 2024 and marketed through the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, a joint venture with the Dutch heavy lift specialist Jumbo Shipping.
Matthieu Moerman, director of chartering and project at Jumbo-SAL-Alliance said the vessels will empower the tie-up to undertake cargo transportation and projects previously inconceivable with its existing fleet and open doors to new markets.
SAL said it will have the opportunity to utilise the two vessels for cargo transports from Asia to Europe and afterwards deploy the duo for an offshore wind farm project in the US.
Once the wind farm project has been completed, the company will most likely extend the charter contracts with Shanghai Salvage for an additional two to three years.
“This project is extremely important to us as a group, both commercially and strategically,” said Dr Martin Harren, CEO of SAL Heavy Lift and the Harren Group, adding: “Our combined MPP and heavy lift fleet, which currently comprises 54 units, is one of the world’s leading fleets. We offer our customers the most powerful heavy lift vessels in the world. However, the truth remains that the demands and requirements of our clients – especially in the offshore wind sector – are becoming increasingly extensive and complex. These two new additions give us the opportunity to meet and possibly even exceed these requirements.”
