SAL Heavy Lift is pleased to announce a further expansion of its deck carrier fleet. The German heavy lift and engineering specialist has acquired two semi-submersible deck carriers, MV Sun Shine and MV Sun Rise, from former owner Pan Ocean (Korea). Both vessels are scheduled for delivery in Europe between October 2025 and April 2026 and will be commercially operated as part of the JSI Alliance.

This step follows SAL Heavy Lift’s successful long-term charter of the semi-submersible deck carriers MV Zhong Ren 121 and MV Zhong Ren 122 in 2023. With the new acquisitions, SAL is doubling 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,” says 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, MV Sun Shine is among the few deck carriers worldwide built outside China, giving us greater flexibility regarding tariffs and trade regulations.”

Key features of MV Sun Shine:

• Built in Korea, 2008
• Deadweight tonnage (DWT): 17,113 t
• Deck size: 148 x 48 m
• Semi-submersible capabilities for transporting floating cargo
• Maximum submerged deck draught: 7.05 m
• Uniform deck strength: 18 t/m²
• Average service speed: 9 knots
• Fully equipped for worldwide operations

Key features of MV Sun Rise:

• Built in China, 2012
• Deadweight tonnage (DWT): 24,629 t
• Deck size: 134 x 44 m
• Semi-submersible capabilities for floating cargo transport
• Maximum submerged deck draught: 7.5 m
• Uniform deck strength: 20 t/m²
• Average service speed: 9.5 knots
• Fully equipped for worldwide operations

Following the takeover, the ships will be renamed MV Luisa (Sun Shine) and MV Alma (Sun Rise), named after the daughters of two Harren Group colleagues.

Dr Martin Harren, CEO of the Harren Group and SAL Heavy Lift, elaborates 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.”

SAL Heavy Lift is not only strengthening its fleet in the deck carrier segment: to meet the growing demand in this highly specialised market, the company will also expand its sales, engineering, and operations teams in Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Singapore.

About SAL Heavy Lift:
SAL Heavy Lift is one of the world’s leading carriers, specialising in the maritime transport of heavy lift and project cargo. Operating a modern fleet of specialised vessels, SAL Heavy Lift provides highly flexible solutions for both project shipping and offshore operations.

The fleet features service speeds of up to 20 knots, dynamic positioning systems, Fly-Jib capability, 1A ice class rating, up to 3,500 square metres of unobstructed main deck space, and combined crane capacities ranging from 550 to 2,000 tonnes, making it one of the most advanced in the heavy lift sector.

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. These capabilities enable SAL Heavy Lift to deliver comprehensive global heavy lift and project cargo services.

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.

An exciting new venture is about to unfold in the Mediterranean: Shipping and logistics companies Harren Group, Kestrel Italia and Intermare have joined forces to found KestrelMare S.r.l. This move will strengthen their shared operations in Italy while expanding their project cargo and heavy lift activities. Genoa-based KestrelMare is the new one-stop shop for all kinds of project and heavy lift cargo in Italy.

“KestrelMare is taking over all Intermare and Kestrel Italia business units, merging them under one brand,” explains Adolfo Herrero, General Manager at Kestrel Italia. “The new team combines experienced staff from both former companies, allowing us to offer much broader, more dedicated support to all our customers.”

KestrelMare is the new representative office in Italy for Harren Group, including its brands SAL Heavy Lift, Intermarine and Combi Lift. It also serves the JSI Alliance with Dutch joint venture partner Jumbo Shipping, a company that Kestrel Italia has been supporting as commercial agent for over 30 years. KestrelMare is operating as a new brand, offering maritime services to customers. The new joint venture has access to a globally unique fleet of heavy lift vessels – including the JSI Alliance fleet (65 ships).

Adolfo Herrero, Guglielmo Viola, Stefania Morasso and Marco Campodonico make up KestrelMare’s Management Team.

Stefania Morasso is excited about the joint venture: “We are very much looking forward to working with Harren Group and Kestrel. Like us, they are family-owned companies that want to expand their activities in the project cargo and heavy lift segments. By joining forces, Harren, Kestrel and Intermare will strengthen their product portfolios. Customers will benefit from more choices and better solutions.”

Guglielmo Viola adds: “We understand the needs of industrial clients and major forwarders worldwide. At KestrelMare, we are committed to providing our customers with high-quality solutions in all our areas of expertise – from break bulk to super heavy lift. When heavy, oversized or unusual cargo needs to be transported to any destination, we are there to help.”

Two of Italy’s most established shipping agencies, Kestrel Italia (founded in 1988 by Captain Carlo Viola) and Intermare (founded in 1980 by Giorgio Morasso) are maritime companies rich in tradition. They come from the world of Genoese maritime brokers and aim to provide a specialised, high-profile response to the needs of the project cargo and heavy lift sectors. Harren Group is the majority owner of Intermare.

Marco Campodonico stresses: “The new setup is good for us because it’s good for our customers. It extends our scope of action to create customised solutions. This new format will help us develop even higher standards in maritime transport logistics and project engineering. At the same time, our customers can rest assured that nothing will change in terms of the high level of services we have always provided. The only difference: They can now draw on the entire expertise, assets and network of Harren Group and Kestrel when needed – a valuable new benefit.”

KestrelMare headquarters (agency@kestrelmare.com) is located at Corso Paganini, 39/2, 16125 Genova. Easily accessible, it is conveniently located near Genova’s major business districts. Intermare’s and Kestrel’s e-mail addresses will be operational until the end of the year and all e-mails will be automatically forwarded to the new accounts.

“Italy is a market with a very bright future for the project and heavy lift industries. We’ve seen great potential there for a long time,” explains Harren Group CEO Dr Martin Harren. “Establishing KestrelMare is such an important strategic step for us. It provides new perspectives and opportunities in Italy and the entire Mediterranean region.”
Harren continues: “We’re already very familiar with Kestrel. For many years, they were the Italian agent for our friends and partners at Jumbo. KestrelMare is a real powerhouse in the international shipping industry – making the joint venture between the three brands a perfect match. All three companies have a long, shared past. Now, they can look forward to a bright future together.”

About Harren Group:

For over 35 years, Bremen-based Harren Group has been at the forefront of the ever-changing world of shipping. Today, Harren Group’s core business areas include heavy lift and MPP shipping, maritime engineering solutions, integrated project logistics, ship management and crewing, as well as commodity logistics. With an unwavering passion for people and progress, Harren Group is dedicated to leading the energy transition, carrying loads no one else can. Harren Group brings the world – and their people – closer together. Learn more about Harren Group: www.harren-group.com

About KestrelMare:

KestrelMare S.r.l. is the new joint venture between Harren Group, Kestrel Italia and Intermare in Italy, specialising in project cargo and heavy lift services. The three companies aim to expand their activities in the Mediterranean region, recognising significant potential in the Italian market. KestrelMare represents the Harren Group brands, including SAL Heavy Lift, Intermarine, Combi Lift as well as the JSI Alliance with Jumbo Shipping. KestrelMare is taking over all Intermare and Kestrel Italia business units, combining their experienced staff to offer more comprehensive and dedicated services. The new Italian powerhouse builds on the tradition and reputation of the two established maritime agencies, providing specialised solutions for industrial clients and freight forwarders worldwide. KestrelMare is headquartered in Genoa.

Re-think ship management: Inspired by customer feedback on ship management services available in the market, German maritime services and logistics provider Harren Group revisited its vast expertise in managing their own fleet as well as third-party vessels for over three decades. Today, the group offers holistic, forward-looking ship management services to owners under the new Harren Ship Management brand. Their mission: to ensure clients actually experience the value ship management can bring to their asset.

The holistic management strategy is built on a vessel-centric approach that proactively takes into account the constantly changing market environment and the key stakeholder interests of owners and charterers.

Owners directly benefit from the extensive know-how of the wider Harren Group with their range of vessel types and deep expertise in owning, managing, chartering and commercially operating ships. This holistic expertise is key to ensuring a vessel is consistently well positioned to earn the best possible revenues.

Comprehensive ship management services are available for all major vessel types, including heavy-lift and multi-purpose vessels, tankers, bulkers, container vessels and offshore wind.

Harren Group Managing Director Nils Aden describes the new service: “A multi-million-dollar asset deserves more than standard off-the-shelf management. It’s vital to be proactive about taking the many constantly changing parameters into account. This ranges from managing opex in different market cycles to dynamically adapting charterer requirements and adjusted asset strategies.” Aden continues: “An owner’s success depends heavily on their managers’ ability to connect the dots. We fully understand our customers’ needs from our own daily operations.”

Harren Group CEO Martin Harren adds: “With our deep understanding of commercial markets, we are uniquely qualified to help vessels generate the highest possible revenues. Our ship management clients further benefit from access to our wide-ranging group activities, global office network, strong approach on sustainability and engineering excellence.”

About Harren Ship Management:

Harren Ship Management provides full technical and crew management services for all maritime assets within the Harren Group. The newly founded subsidiary provides its dedicated services to external partners and is proud of the group’s successful track record with third-party vessels. Harren Ship Management takes a holistic approach while incorporating the extensive expertise within the Harren Group. The fleet under management currently consists of 65 units of all key vessel types. Harren Ship Management guarantees the highest standards of quality and performance with dedicated teams specialised in each area, a culture strongly rooted in seafaring and engineering, and a strong focus on sustainability.

Learn more about Harren Ship Management: https://www.harren-group.com/ship-management

About Harren Group:

For nearly 35 years, Harren Group has been at the forefront of the ever-changing world of shipping. Today, Harren Group’s core business areas include heavy-lift shipping, maritime engineering solutions, integrated project logistics, ship management and crewing, commodity logistics and offshore wind operations. With an unwavering passion for people and progress, Harren Group is dedicated to leading the energy transition, carrying loads no one else can. We bring the world – and their people – closer together.

Learn more about Harren Group: https://www.harren-group.com

Today, privately owned maritime services and logistics conglomerate Harren & Partner announced that they have changed their name to Harren Group.

The launch of this group brand marks the start of a new era of collaboration and innovation within the organisation to further enhance customer satisfaction. While the group’s individual company brands remain, this step unites these brands and its people across land and sea through a shared vision, mission and set of values to build the next generation of maritime services and logistics.

“There is one global ocean, and we are one global group – bringing together the best thinkers and doers to move the world forward,” says Dr Martin Harren, CEO of Harren Group. This is an exciting step for all Harren Group members: Harren Bulkers, Harren Tankers, Harren Ship Management, SAL Heavy Lift, SAL Engineering, Intermarine, Combi Lift, Atheleon, trans-Mar-supply, HeavyLift@Sea and all affiliated service units. As a part of this world-renowned group, they are dedicated to becoming the bridge to the future – and the industry benchmark for what’s possible.

The biggest change to the group is undeniably the evolved group brand identity. A new logo represents the ultimate bridge between all units, inspired by engineering excellence and maritime architecture. This instantly recognisable group image welcomes the world to the future of shipping and freight forwarding: a future that can only be created by today’s and tomorrow’s top talents. This new group brand is designed to attract great candidates, strengthen commercial synergies and leverage the group’s unique maritime service range and depth.

“It is crucial for everyone to know that our commercial brands are still operating as individual group members. The key difference: We will now be united under one strong group brand. Lifting customer expectations, collaborating to achieve what others have not and building a greener tomorrow,” highlights Dr Martin Harren.

The transition to Harren Group kicks off with the rollout of the new brand identity across all communication channels, including the company’s website, social media platforms and marketing materials. The Harren Group rebrand comes at a time when the industry is experiencing significant transformation and demand for carbon-neutral end-to-end solutions is continuously growing. Some call it the ocean, but Harren Group calls it the office. Here’s to what’s next.

About Harren Group:

Harren Group was founded in 1989 by Captain Peter Harren. Over three decades later, the family-run business is made up of a diverse network of shipping and logistics companies offering a wide range of next-generation services to clients around the globe. Today, Harren Group’s core business areas include heavy-lift shipping, maritime engineering solutions, integrated project logistics, ship management and crewing, commodity logistics and offshore wind operations. With an unwavering passion for people and progress, Harren Group is dedicated to leading the energy transition, carrying the loads no one else can, and bringing the world – and their people – closer together.

Intermarine joins forces with project and breakbulk cargo specialist WeShip Projects to launch Intermarine Asia and strengthen Intermarine’s position in Europe. Torben Reinhard and Lars Steen Rasmussen, partners in WeShip and well-known names in the industry, join Intermarine’s commercial team as part of the deal.

Svend Andersen, CEO of Intermarine, says: “Intermarine and WeShip have already partnered successfully for over a year now in the Asia-Pacific trade, and we are very excited to combine our organizations to jointly grow the Intermarine presence in Asia and Europe.”

Since its relaunch in 2020, Intermarine has successfully developed its business within breakbulk and multipurpose shipping, having grown its fleet from six vessels in late 2020 to 25 in 2022. In 2021, Intermarine opened its second office outside the USA in Sao Paulo, Brazil, followed by the establishment of a European base in Odense, Denmark in early 2022.

Andersen continues: “I have known both Torben and Lars for many years, and I have been amazed with the business they have built at WeShip over the past four years. That we can now launch Intermarine in Asia under the leadership of Torben, makes me tremendously proud and happy. Having Lars as part of our European operations significantly strengthens our setup here, as well.”

Under the combined setup, Intermarine will represent all cargo chartering activities, whereas the WeShip brand will continue as representation for port agency and logistic services in Thailand and neighboring countries.

Torben Reinhard, now Managing Director of Intermarine Asia, states: “Our journey with WeShip has been incredible, but we could also see that the opportunities with Intermarine would be far greater than what we could built up ourselves. We have a strong network of clients and contacts throughout Asia and adding a quality product like Intermarine will only propel our presence in the region. I am truly looking forward to being part of the Intermarine team and to collaborating with colleagues in the broader SAL Heavy Lift and Harren Group constellation to which Intermarine belongs.”

Lars Steen Rasmussen, now COO of Intermarine Denmark, adds: “To combine the tremendous know-how that sits within the Intermarine organization with the relationships that WeShip has built over the years makes in my eyes a really strong commercial setup and a journey that I am really looking forward to embarking on.”

Dr. Martin Harren, CEO of the Harren Group, concludes: “The development of Intermarine has simply been amazing – thanks to the dedicated and passionate teams in the organization. I am very proud to see Intermarine taking this next step in its journey and expanding towards Asia, not only strengthening its own business, but also adding to the global portfolio and presence of our entire group. I am very happy to welcome Torben, Lars and the WeShip team to our family.”

About Intermarine: Over more than 30 years, Intermarine has built the industry’s leading team of experts who have the resources, experience, and spirit to provide exceptional service for clients’ global cargo needs. With its frequent and flexible liner service between the U.S. Gulf, NCSA, Caribbean, ECSA and WCSA, Intermarine offers the fastest regional transit available. Through its offices in the USA, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Denmark, and Thailand, and as part of the SAL Heavy Lift network with offices on all continents, Intermarine can transport cargos to any corner of the globe. With its dynamic fleet of highly specialized vessels, Intermarine delivers the most reliable solutions for breakbulk, project and heavy-lift cargos across the Americas and beyond.

About WeShip Projects: WeShip Projects is an operator and broker in the project and breakbulk cargo segment. WeShip was founded in 2018 by Torben Reinhard and Lars Steen Rasmussen, among others. The founders of WeShip have spent decades navigating through this dynamic industry with many years in the project market combined with ship owning and operating. WeShip listens to customer needs and understands the complexities involved when it comes to moving oversized, heavy, and high-value equipment, and establishing workable solutions for customers no matter type of cargo. WeShip thrives on challenges and is known as being successful in creating safe custom shipping solutions.

A new era begins: German shipping and logistics expert Harren Group extends its presence in Africa by opening its first office on the continent. Harren Nigeria in Lagos is led by Managing Director Paul Okpurughre.

“The new office represents the entire Harren Group and serves as a basis for further business development in West Africa,” explains Paul Okpurughre, former Director Business Development and Operations (MEA) at SAL Heavy Lift. “We want to intensify the proximity to our customers and our business activities in the region.”

West Africa represents about 30 percent of Africa’s total population. Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa, even ahead of South Africa. “Lagos is the perfect location for us – it’s a vibrant city and one of the main project and logistics capitals on the continent,” explains Dr. Martin Harren, CEO of the Harren Group. “The opening of the new office reflects our remarkably successful development in West Africa. We want to further expand our local position based on the existing, trustful relationships with our customers and partners.”

Jürgen Kuntz, Senior Manager Chartering & Projects and Head of Africa Chartering Desk at SAL Heavy Lift, emphasises: “Having our own office in Africa means a lot to our organisation. Currently, around three of our Group’s ships sail to this region on a monthly basis. So it’s the next logical step to open an office there to be able to further develop our position. We see lots of opportunities for example in the energy and infrastructure segments.”

Nils Aden, Managing Director of the Harren Group, underlines the potential for the entire Group: “There are also new opportunities for business beyond our existing heavy lift activities – for example in the tanker, bulker and renewable energy sectors. The new office will represent our Group’s affiliated companies Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, Intermarine, Harren Bulkers, Harren Tankers, Atheleon and Combi Lift as their commercial agent. Opening the Lagos office makes our dedicated and personal services available to our customers locally. This is another important milestone for our Group.”

The new office is located in The Wings Office Complex (17a Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Level 5, East Tower, Lagos State, Nigeria, nigeria@harren-group.com). It allows perfect access in and out of the city and is convenient to all of Lagos’s major business centres.

About Harren Group: The guiding principle of the Harren Group is: If there is water, there is a way. Making the impossible possible, always finding a solution, going all the way.

Under the umbrella of the family-run Harren Group, subsidiaries SAL Heavy Lift (Hamburg), SAL Engineering (Hamburg) and Intermarine (Houston) collaborate with the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance (Rotterdam/Hamburg) to manage and control the world’s largest fleet of super heavy lift vessels in the premium segment (+900 t crane capacity). Their core competencies include developing and implementing sophisticated engineering solutions for complex logistics projects. Combi Lift (Bremen) is a leading freight forwarder for the global transport of heavy lift and project cargo.

Harren Bulkers (Bremen) is a globally operating dry bulk specialist whose fleet includes bulk carriers in the size segments Handy-Bulker to Post-Panamax. Harren Tankers (Bremen) is the Group’s own tanker shipping company, providing both technical and commercial support for vessels as well as transport services to global energy companies.

Atheleon (Bremen) bundles activities in the dynamically growing offshore wind segment. The renewable energy sector already accounts for 60 per cent of the Group’s business – and the trend is growing.

The Harren Group owns the majority of the fleet. The company is committed to carbon-neutral shipping and is working to convert the entire fleet. The goal is zero-emission shipping across the Group by 2035.

Founded in Bremen in 1989, the Harren Group operates 22 offices in 20 countries around the world, employing around 400 people ashore and more than 3,000 crew members on board its ships.

For more information about Harren Group, please go to www.harren-group.com