Heavy lift battens down

Houston, Texas-based Intermarine, which is part of Germany’s Harren shipping group, has added four vessels to its fleet of multipurpose ships.

The Netherlands-based heavy lift technology company Fastro has come up with a new technique [patented] for attaching slings to heavy loads. Its new system is both quicker and lighter than traditional bow shackles. The modular approach aims to improve safety and ergonomic working conditions, along with providing a more cost-effective rigging solution.

Ports in the Asean trading bloc are being expanded and their cargo handling facilities modernised as both intra-regional and international trade volumes increase.

The heavy lift/project cargo market is expected to post relatively strong rates of growth over the coming years and shipowners and operators are investing heavily in the sector.

Houston-based Intermarine and sister company Jumbo-SA Heavy Lift-Alliance (JSA) are opening a new office in Santiago (Chile) as part of their expansion plans in Latin America.

AAL Shipping recently transported critical Toshiba-built power station components on a single shipment from China and Japan to Queensland in Australia.