SAL lifeline for Sietas

The German shipowner Schiffahrtskontor Altes Land (SAL) has placed an order for two heavylift vessels with Sietas Werft. This welcome boost to the Hamburg-based shipbuilder’s order book adds to an earlier order for a double ended ferry and ensures work for the shipyard to the end of 2010. These latest orders are in line with the company’s new policy of focusing on special-purpose ships and ferries.

The vessels, with a carrying capacity of 12,500 tonnes and a maximum speed of 20 knots, will be the largest and fastest heavylift ships worldwide, according to the shipyard. The cranes will be built by Sietas? subsidiary Neuenfelder Maschinenfabrik and will be able to lift up to 2,000 tonnes. The vessels are financed by German bank HSH Nordbank and will be delivered in December 2010 and March 2011.