SAL Heavy Lift has brought pioneering reinforcement to its fleet by chartering two modern semi-submersible deck carriers Zhong Ren 121 and Zhong Ren 122 on a long-term basis together with its partner Shanghai Salvage (China).

Both ships will be delivered in Shanghai between December 2023 and February 2024 and marketed through the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, the company said on Friday.

“We don’t use the term ‘milestone’ lightly – but, in this case, it’s more than appropriate. This project is extremely important to us as a group, both commercially and strategically,” says Dr Martin Harren, CEO of SAL Heavy Lift and the Harren Group. “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. Customers will benefit from more choices and better solutions.”

Read also: DNV responds to market demand with class notation for deck carriers

SAL has been working intensively on the topic of semi-submersible deck carriers for years. In 2021, a special department was founded for this purpose. SAL Heavy Lift has been acting as a commercial agent for two Pan Ocean deck carriers since 2017, gaining valuable experience in the project-based chartering of external tonnage.

“Zhong Ren 121 and Zhong Ren 122 will empower us to undertake cargo transportation and projects previously inconceivable with our existing fleet,” explains Matthieu Moerman, Director Chartering & Project at Jumbo-SAL-Alliance. “They will expand our capabilities, opening doors to new markets. By adding the two vessels, we can offer more marine transport solutions as a group.”

Both vessels are 169 metres long and 39.8 metres wide, featuring DP2 technology, 26,000 dwt and the ability to carry floating cargo due to semi-submersible mode.

Following delivery, SAL will have the opportunity to utilise the two vessels for cargo transports from Asia to Europe. Afterwards, they will be deployed for an offshore wind farm project in the USA.

Once the wind farm project has been completed, SAL intends to extend the charter contracts with Shanghai Salvage for an additional two to three years. Alberto Aguilaniedo, Manager Chartering & Projects at Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, states, “With our exceptional project and chartering team, I envision a vast potential for these vessels which further solidifies our strategic focus on the renewable energy sector.”