This week's round up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.
April Fool's Day might seem like an unusual occasion to introduce a new heavy lift shipping line, but after various mutterings over the last month, that's just what has happened with the announcement of the launch of United Heavy Lift, founded by former SAL executive Lars Rolner.
Rolner left his position as managing director and chief operating officer of SAL at the end of 2014, joining maritime engineering company HeavyLift@Sea, which he set up two years before. However, many in the industry have been waiting for him to make a splash on the shipping scene.
The newly-established shipping company, which moves into its new Hamburg headquarters today, has joined forces with Arkon Shipping & Projects in an alliance that will see Arkon's heavy lift chartering department work together with United Heavy Lift to handle the operation of its specialised vessels.
Arkon Shipping & Projects managing shareholder Thomas Cord explained that Arkon would be marketing its heavy lift vessels under the new United Heavy Lift brand. However, he added that Lars Rolner's new company will also have access to other vessels, with the United Heavy Lift website stating that it will also be cooperating with shipowner Heino Winter.
Avid readers of HLPFI may recall that Arkon also recently formed an alliance with heavy lift shipping line Jumbo, and we will be waiting to see if this partnership will be linked in any way with the new United Heavy Lift setup.
As Cord made clear, this is day one of a new and exciting venture in the heavy lift shipping sector, and HLPFI will be keeping you updated with developments every step of the way.
In business
United Heavy Lift storms onto scene
A new heavy lift shipping and project transportation company - United Heavy Lift - has been founded by former SAL executive Lars Rolner.
Agility posted a net profit of KD50.84mn (USD169.19mn) for its full financial year 2014 - a 10 percent year-on-year improvement over 2013.
Carisbrooke reports few problems with ECA rules
"Our first three months of emission control area operation have run without a hitch," says Carisbrooke Shipping ceo Robert Wester.
Good Friday restrictions in the USA
WCS Permits has posted oversize and overweight transport restrictions for Good Friday (April 3, 2015) in the USA.
Capacity developments
Heerema signs LOI for world's largest crane vessel
Heerema Offshore Services has signed a letter of intent to build what it says is the world's largest new semi-submersible crane vessel, equipped with two 10,000-tonne capacity cranes.
Portugal's LASO Transportes has strengthened its wind turbine transport fleet with the addition of six Nooteboom super wing carriers (SWC).
RINA wins Turkmenbashi contract
RINA Services has been awarded a contract to provide a design review and third party certification services for a major port and logistics hub development at Turkmenbashi.
On the move
Gefco has appointed Emmanuel Kesler as director of finance and performance at its French subsidiary, Gefco France.
Chapman Freeborn's UK head of VIP charter, Julie Black, has been elected to join the Council of the Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA).
Braemar SA has established a new subsidiary company in Turkey and opened an office in Istanbul.
Notable shipment
Ekin Heavy & Project Cargo Transportation has transported an 11-tonne boat from Tuzla, Turkey to Baku in Azerbaijan.
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