SAL Heavy Lift to acquire two deck carriers
Following the takeover, the ships will be renamed Luisa (Sun Shine) and Alma (Sun Rise), named after the daughters of two Harren Group colleagues
(Source: SAL)
Hamburg-based SAL Heavy Lift is to acquire two semi-submersible deck carriers currently owned by Pan Ocean (Korea). The Sun Shine and Sun Rise are scheduled for delivery in Europe some time between next month and April 2026 and will be commercially operated as part of the JSI Alliance, itself a joint venture between Sal Heavy Lift, Jumbo, and Intermarine.
The acquisition comes after the German company took the semi-submersible deck carriers, Zhong Ren 121 and Zhong Ren 122 on long-term charter in 2023. The latest deal will effectively double the company’s capacity in this heavy-lift segment.
The Sun Shine, built in South Korea in 2008, has a deadweight of 17,113 tonnes, a 148 x 48m deck with a uniform deck strength of 18t per square metre, a submerged deck draught of 7.05m, and an average service speed of nine knots. The 24,629dwt Sun Rise, built in China in 2012, has a 134 x 44m deck with a uniform deck strength of 20t per square metre, a submerged deck draught of 7.5m, and an average service speed of more than nine knots. Both vessels are equipped for worldwide operations.
The JSI Alliance’s Renewables & Offshore director, Matthieu Moerman, said: “We’ve listened closely to our clients during the operation of the Zhong Ren vessels and recognised a growing demand for additional tonnage and greater operational flexibility. With four vessels now in this segment, we can offer our clients even more robust services and tailored solutions for large-scale and complex projects. Notably, mv Sun Shine is among the few deck carriers worldwide built outside China, giving us greater flexibility regarding tariffs and trade regulations.”
