Consolidation in the multipurpose (MPP) heavylift sector could be about to take a step forward, with Harren & Partner emerging as the frontrunner in the race to take over operator SAL Heavy Lift.

Bids have been submitted to SAL’s Japanese owner, K Line, which is seeking to sell the Hamburg-based heavylift and projects carrier.

A deal was close to being agreed last year with Germany’s BBC Chartering/Briese Schiffahrt, although little has been heard of that following health problems affecting its majority shareholder, Roelf Briese.