GERMANY’s SAL Heavy Lift is expanding its semi-submersible deck carrier fleet with the acquisition of two vessels from South Korea’s Pan Ocean.
SAL, which is part of the Harren Group and a member of JSI Alliance with Jumbo Shipping and Intermarine, says the purchase of Sun Shine and Sun Rise follow the long-term charter of two similar ships, Zhong Ren 121 and Zhong Ren 122, taken into the fleet in 2023.
The additions, to be renamed Luisa and Alma after Harren colleagues, are scheduled for delivery in Europe between October 2025 and April 2026 and will be commercially operated as part of the JSI Alliance.
“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 Renewables & Offshore at the JSI Alliance.
“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, Sun Shine is among the few deck carriers worldwide built outside China, giving us greater flexibility regarding tariffs and trade regulations.”
Key features of Sun Shine:
MV Sun Shine. Image: SAL Heavy Lift
Key features of Sun Rise:
Dr Martin Harren, CEO of the Harren Group and SAL Heavy Lift, elaborated on the strategic intent behind the fleet expansion: “These two vessels are of significant importance to our group. They enable us to broaden our service spectrum – from smaller MPP vessels with lifting capacities of 300 t and 7,700 DWT to large semi-submersible deck carriers with almost 25,000 DWT. This puts us in a position to cover the entire scope of the MPP and heavy lift sector and to provide our clients with the right tonnage from the most capable fleet in the world.”
Together with Intermarine, SAL Heavy Lift operates approximately 75 MPP and super heavy lift vessels (as of mid-2026), employing more than 1,200 people worldwide and maintaining a strong international presence with 27 offices across 23 countries.
Recently SAL’s Frauke became the first vessel to use the Kimberley Marine Support Bas floating wharf, when it delivered the facility’s mobile harbour crane.
As a member of the Harren Group, SAL Heavy Lift upholds the highest standards of quality, technical innovation, health, safety, and environmental performance. Its latest investment in the Orca Class newbuilding programme sets new standards in the adoption of green technologies within the maritime industry.
In partnership with Jumbo Shipping, SAL Heavy Lift and Intermarine jointly operate the marketing platform JSI Alliance, further strengthening their position in the market. The JSI Alliance fleet comprises around 85 MPP, heavy lift and offshore vessels.