May 27 - Meeting prior to the start of the Breakbulk Europe Conference in Antwerp, ocean carriers involved with the international transport of project and heavy lift cargoes announced the founding of the International Council of Heavy Lift and Project Car
Issues of importance and concern to the Heavy Lift Club include education, technological innovation, the environment, security and the awareness of considerations involved with the marine transport of heavy lift and project cargos. Jan Steffens from Rickmers-Linie was selected to be the chairman of the group.
Mr Steffens stated: "Heavy Lift and project cargo carriers are crucial to world infrastructure, which affects everyone. The work of heavy lift and project cargo carriers is not only important, it is specialised. There are technical, operational and safety considerations in the heavy lift and project cargo sector and important challenges, which are not always considered or understood. The Heavy Lift Club provides a forum for exchanging ideas on industry matters that ae of interest and concern to heavy lift and project carriers."
HLC membership is open to ocean carriers who are routinely engaged in the international transport of heavy lift and project cargos through the use of a long-term controlled fleet of self-sustained heavy lift vessels. The Heavy Lift Club has a non-rate discussion agreement filed with the Federal Maritime Commission.
According to a statement issued by the Heavy Lift Club all of the following carriers are or will be members of the Heavy Lift Club following Federal Maritime Commission approval: Australia Asia Line; BigLift Shipping BV; Beluga Chartering Gmbh; BBC Chartering & Logistic GmbH & Co KG; Chipolbrok; Clipper Projects A/S; Conti-Lines; Hyundai Merchant Marine; Intermarine, LLC, representing Industrial Maritime Carriers, LLC; K/S Combi Lift; Nordana; Rickmers-Linie GmbH & Cie KG; Scan-Scott; Scan-Trans; and Universal Africa Lines Ltd.
For further information, please contact the Chairman of the Heavy Lift Club, Jan Steffens. E-mail address: J.Steffens@Rickmers.net
