Germany’s SAL Heavy Lift is expanding its semi-submersible deck carrier fleet with the acquisition of two vessels from Korea’s Pan Ocean. The MV Sun Shine and MV Sun Rise will join the company between October 2025 and April 2026 and be commercially operated within the JSI Alliance.
The move follows the long-term charter of the Zhong Ren 121 and Zhong Ren 122 in 2023. With the latest additions, SAL will double its capacity in this specialised segment.
“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,” said Matthieu Moerman, director of renewables and offshore at the JSI Alliance, adding that with four vessels now in this segment, the venture can offer “even more robust services and tailored solutions” for large-scale and complex projects.
The 17,113 dwt Sun Shine was built in Korea in 2008, while the 24,629 dwt Sun Rise was built in China in 2012. Following delivery, the vessels will be renamed Luisa and Alma, after the daughters of two Harren Group colleagues.
“These two vessels are of significant importance to our group,” said Martin Harren, CEO of the Harren Group and SAL Heavy Lift. “They enable us to broaden our service spectrum – from smaller MPP vessels to large semisubmersible deck carriers. This puts us in a position to cover the entire scope of the MPP and heavylift sector and to provide our clients with the right tonnage from the most capable fleet in the world.”
To support the expansion, SAL Heavy Lift plans to grow its sales, engineering and operations teams in Hamburg, Rotterdam and Singapore.
Together with Intermarine, SAL operates about 75 MPP and super heavylift vessels. Through its partnership with Jumbo Shipping under the JSI Alliance, the combined fleet reaches around 85 multipurpose, heavylift and offshore vessels.
