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Intermarine and Jumbo-SAL-Alliance expand business and set up new hub in Chile

Multipurpose carrier Intermarine and sister company Jumbo-SAL-Alliance (JSA) expand their presence in South America, opening a new office in Santiago. JSA–Intermarine Chile is led by General Manager Nelson Matus.

The last few years have been dynamic and exciting for Intermarine and Jumbo-SAL-Alliance – and 2023 is just as eventful: With more industrial projects on the horizon, especially wind energy, Intermarine and JSA are taking advantage of the positive momentum and expanding in South America.

Intermarine’s MV Industrial Challenger in Chile

Intermarine and Jumbo-SAL-Alliance are joining Intermarine’s long-time agent, Marval, to form the new subsidiary JSA-Intermarine Chile. The first office to carry the name of both companies will be led by Nelson Matus, a veteran in the South American breakbulk and multipurpose sector with over 25 years of experience. Matus and his five-person team will take the lead in expanding the new Chilean business base.

“I’m extremely pleased that Nelson and his team are part of the Intermarine-JSA family. They have tremendous experience in the heavy lift and logistics business,” says Intermarine CEO Svend Andersen. “Intermarine and Marval have already collaborated successfully for many years now in South America. We’re excited to join forces and further expand our group presence in the region.”

Jens Baumgarten, Director Chartering & Projects at Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, explains: “Chile plays a significant role in South America due to its stable economy, geographic location, extensive raw material exports, reliable infrastructure and project outlooks, particularly in wind energy. The potential in the South American market and in Chile specifically is enormous, especially when it comes to the wind sector.”

“Our new joint branch gives customers access to the unique combination of Intermarine’s very strong Americas liner services and breakbulk business as well as JSA’s global project and semi-liner services”, adds Intermarine’s President Richard Seeg.

“We are very excited to join this ambitious and winning team,” stresses Nelson Matus. “The vibrant spirit, outstanding reputation and quality, and combined fleet of +50 vessels inspired us to take this wonderful opportunity.”

When SAL Heavy Lift took ownership of Intermarine back in late 2020, they followed a long-term strategy of developing the two enterprises as closely associated sister companies with different business models and offerings. This approach has proven highly successful. Intermarine’s business has thrived alongside SAL’s, showing the complementary nature of the fleets and service offerings. The new office in Chile is a good example of this success.

For Harren Group, Intermarine’s and SAL’s parent company, the branch is the 25th office worldwide. Harren Group CEO Dr Martin Harren explains: “It’s truly exciting to make our next strategic move: opening an office that represents both Intermarine and JSA with such an experienced and long-term partner as Marval. Everyone at Harren Group is proud to see Intermarine and JSA take this next step on their shared journey. This expansion not only strengthens our local business. It also elevates our global portfolio and the presence of our entire group.”

The new JSA-Intermarine Chile office (chile@intermarine.com, +56 2 2352 3400) is located in the World Trade Center in Las Condes (Nueva Tajamar 481, 14th Floor, office 1405, Tower South). Easily accessible, it is conveniently located near Santiago’s major business centres.

About Intermarine and Jumbo-SAL-Alliance: For over 125 years combined, Jumbo Maritime, SAL Heavy Lift and Intermarine have built the industry’s leading team of experts who have the resources, experience and spirit to provide exceptional services for their clients’ global cargo needs. Intermarine, with their frequent and flexible liner services between the US Gulf, NCSA, Caribbean, ECSA and WCSA, offers the fastest regional transit available. SAL Heavy Lift, together with commercial partner Jumbo Maritime, holds the largest and most advanced heavy lift fleet in the +800 t sector as well as an extensive network of offices on all continents. With their semi-liner and project shipping services, they can offer solutions that scale up to the most complex of heavy lift shipping projects. Having the flexibility of the Intermarine commercial setup paired with the versatility, commercial scale, engineering and project management capabilities of the combined SAL and Jumbo fleet, Jumbo-SAL-Alliance and Intermarine can transport cargos to any corner of the globe. Together, the three companies hold a fleet of +50 multipurpose and heavy lift vessels delivering the most reliable solutions for breakbulk, project and heavy lift cargoes across the Americas and beyond.

About Marval: Marval is a Chilean maritime service company founded in 1989 by current President, Francisco Lobos. The company has represented various shipping lines from around the world since its inception. Over the past 35 years, the second generation of leadership and a team of highly experienced executives have helped Marval evolve into a conglomerate of diversified enterprises covering multiple maritime transport sectors and logistics services in Chile and abroad. As a major stakeholder in central Chile’s main grain port with over 250,000 square metres of warehouses and depots spanning the coastline as well as strategic inland locations, Marval has become one of the country’s primary logistics providers for various industries – including mining, energy, refined grain, fruit and the retail sector.