SAL Heavy Lift, a carrier specialising in heavy lift and project cargo, is expanding its fleet capacity with the acquisition of two semi-submersible deck carriers from Korea’s Pan Ocean. The vessels, formerly known as MV Sun Shine and MV Sun Rise, will later be renamed MV Luisa and MV Alma, joining the fleet in Europe between October 2025 and April 2026. Both will be commercially operated under the JSI Alliance.
This step follows SAL’s 2023 long-term charter of MV Zhong Ren 121 and MV Zhong Ren 122. With the latest acquisitions, the company will double its presence in the semi-submersible segment, offering enhanced flexibility and expanded tonnage options for complex transport projects.
Vessel Specifications
- MV Sun Shine (to be renamed Luisa): built in 2008 in Korea, 17,113 DWT, deck size 148 × 48 m, maximum submerged draught 7.05 m, deck strength 18 t/m², service speed 9 knots.
- MV Sun Rise (to be renamed Alma): built in 2012 in China, 24,629 DWT, deck size 134 × 44 m, maximum submerged draught 7.5 m, deck strength 20 t/m², service speed 9.5 knots.
Both vessels feature advanced semi-submersible capabilities suited for global operations, including the transport of floating cargo and large-scale offshore infrastructure.
According to Matthieu Moerman, Director Renewables & Offshore at JSI Alliance, demand for such vessels is rising:
“During the operation of the Zhong Ren vessels, we recognised a growing need for additional tonnage and greater operational flexibility. With four vessels now active, we can support more complex projects. Notably, MV Sun Shine is one of the few deck carriers built outside China, which provides advantages when navigating tariffs and trade rules.”
Strategic Expansion
SAL confirmed that the vessels will be renamed after the daughters of two Harren Group colleagues, continuing a tradition of personal naming within the company.
Dr. Martin Harren, CEO of the Harren Group and SAL Heavy Lift, highlighted the broader impact of the acquisitions:
“These two vessels enable us to expand our offering from smaller multipurpose vessels of 7,700 DWT and 300-tonne lifting capacity to large semi-submersible deck carriers approaching 25,000 DWT. It places us in a position to cover the entire scope of the multipurpose and heavy lift sector.”
In parallel with the fleet expansion, SAL will increase staffing in Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Singapore, strengthening sales, engineering, and operations teams to support rising demand in the deck carrier market.
