May 7 - The heavy lift shipping business, including the transport of petrochemical plant and infrastructure-related heavy lifts, was one positive note to come out of "K" Line's 2008 results.

Demand for heavy lift services from the carrier, part owner of SAL Shipping, grew as most other business areas of the company fell or stagnated.

 

This demand was assisted by soaring resource prices, especially in the middle of the year, while towards the end of the year, heavy lift operations also benefitted from the fall in oil prices which relieved cost pressures.

 

As a result of these factors, and in marked contrast to the rest of the line, the heavy lift business produced stable profits. Overall, the business saw a fall of 61178e830rofits to USD330 million for the year. However, its revenue in the year actually fell only seven percent.

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