SAL - Heavy-Lift Cargo Vessels and Services

SAL is the exclusive agent for one of the most modern fleets of heavy-lift vessels currently in the market. Its wide ranging experience makes SAL the partner of choice for the safe delivery of all types of project cargos.

SAL currently owns a fleet of 14 heavy-lift vessels. With a high service speed of up to 20kn, the vessels are able to offer extremely short transit times, imperative for time-sensitive cargoes. Apart from their high speed, all 14 vessels are characterized by their lean structure and low draft, making them highly flexible and well equipped to reach even less accessible ports. With their crane capacity of up to 1,400mt SWL, SAL vessels are able to rely on their own equipment for loading and discharging in most ports worldwide.

Among the services provided by our office are chartering, operating, technical management, engineering and crewing, as well as an in-house safety / quality management division.

Vessel chartering services

SAL's chartering department provides clients with quotations for their specific cargo enquiries. Apart from negotiating freight rates, terms and conditions, the department coordinates the cargo volume and rotation for each vessel.

Given the flexible rotations of the vessels, the chartering managers are able to serve a worldwide spot market as well as prepare for longer-term transportation projects. The chartering department works in close cooperation with all other in-house departments to ensure both technical and operational feasibility.

Vessel operating services

Our team of experienced operators is in continuous contact with the vessels, their masters and agents to guarantee for safe and time-efficient loading and discharging operations. The operator distributes drawings, cargo dimensions, port rotation, packing lists and other contract-related information to all parties concerned to allow for a successful port call.

Loading and discharging operations are facilitated through the provision of individual operation manuals to each vessel.

Our operations department cooperates with a core of reliable long-term partner agencies that provide assistance in our key ports. In addition, other port agents are contacted on a continuous basis to obtain the most efficient and cost-effective service.

Vessel engineering

Our operations department cooperates with a core of reliable long-term partner agencies that provide assistance in our key ports. In addition, other port agents are contacted on a continuous basis to obtain the most efficient and cost-effective service.

With its team of experienced master mariners and engineers, SAL's in-house engineering division provides solutions for the transportation of cargo with unusual dimensions and/or weights. The preparation of stowage plans, loading manuals and lashing arrangements is developed in dialogue with customers and manufacturers well in advance of the actual loading dates.

Our technical team regularly attends loading and discharging operations and provides assistance with respect to lifting, cradling, special securing, etc., to ensure a successful implementation of the cargo operation.

In preparation for complex cargo operations, risk assessments are conducted on-board the vessel and at the onshore engineering facility. HAZIDs, HAZOPs and SIMOPs are guided by a zero-accident policy and are taken very seriously by both crew and technical engineers. Also, toolbox meetings are regularly held between crew and engineers to guarantee for smooth operations.

These pre-operation meetings help to create an understanding for the complexity of the project by all parties involved. The inclusion of all stakeholders further fosters the operational teamwork and thus contributes to successful project implementation.

Vessel technical inspections

The technical management/technical inspection team under Lühe Engineering is responsible for securing the overall maintenance of the vessels. The division is constituted by a team of experienced captains and chief engineers in charge of coordinating ship supplies, repair works, dry docking, classification and certification, and ISM, ISPS and HSE-related matters.

All vessels are frequently visited for inspection purposes. During inspection visits the lifting gear is examined, repairs are carried out and the overall conditions on-board are evaluated.

Vessel crewing services

Amongst SAL's particular advantages is the experienced and highly skilled crew we possess. With its extensive experience of preparing the crew for the challenges of heavy lift operations, SAL is committed to offer opportunities for career advancement and longevity in employment. In addition, SAL is dedicated to offering comprehensive family and social services.

SAL crewmembers are supervised by masters with a strong background in heavy-lift shipping.

In-house safety / quality management

In May 2006, SAL became the first heavy-lift specialist to be certified for ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 - the highest certification standards obtainable for environmental protection and occupational health and safety. This certification has now been extended to all 16 vessels (18 vessels by February 2009) under SAL agency. All new buildings within the SAL fleet will be equipped with an environmental passport and a ballast water management (BWM) plan.

With this, SAL further emphasizes its commitment to reduce the amount of chemicals on board and to further improve the overall environmental performance of the vessels. The on-going implementation of these standards on board and ashore will be supervised by SAL’s in-house safety / quality management division.