Germany’s Harren & Partner has completed a much-anticipated swoop for compatriot SAL Heavy Lift which makes it a “dominant player” in the sector.
TradeWinds reported in March that Harren & Partner was leading the chase for SAL and today the purchase of the company from K Line was confirmed.
After snapping up the 15 strong SAL fleet, Harren & Partner will boast a heavy lift fleet of 26 vessels. It is also the owner of Combi Lift.
Managing director Martin Harren said the deal was a milestone in the history of Harren & Partner.
“SAL is an eminently respectable company with experienced employees and long-term customer relationships which stands for innovation, quality and technical expertise,” he said in a statement.
“We believe that this acquisition will ensure that both SAL and Harren & Partner are very well-positioned for the future.
“In becoming the new dominant player in the super heavy lift market, we believe this will add strength to SAL and bring with it some much needed pricing discipline.”
Different strengths
Christian Hoffmann, spokesman for SAL, told TradeWinds: "Where Harren & Partner comes with a strong background in vessel management, SAL is superior when it comes to commercial offering and technical marine transport solutions.
"This is a setup that will be exploited further in future."
He added that the two fleets will make a good match and noted that SAL has worked with Harren & Partner ships under time-charters in the past.
"It is no secret that the MPV and project carrier market has for a long time been in distress and the fact that SAL will now control more tonnage without adding any new tonnage to the market is surely a step in the right direction," Haffmann added.
Shipowner Peter Harren said SAL had an excellent reputation and would continue to operate as a separate brand.
“There won’t be any changes for SAL’s clients,” Harren said. “Also, the fleet of 15 heavy lift vessels will remain with SAL.”
Founded in 1989, Harren & Partner has a fleet of 70 vessels, comprising tankers, container feeders, heavy lift vessels, bulk carriers, dock ships and offshore vessels.
