Heavylift veteran Lars Rolner is going it alone with the formation of a new German operator of heavylift vessels.

Rolner, the former chief executive of K Line division SAL Heavy Lift, has set up United Heavy Lift (UHL) in order to tap “increasing demand” in the heavylift and project-cargo business.

The company will begin operations this month using 18 ships, with lifting capacity ranging from 300 tons to 800 tons.