Shipping company SAL flags-in 6 ships

The shipping company SAL Heavy Lift GmbH has flagged-in its heavy lift vessel MV “Svenja” under German flag. Five more vessels of this shipping company will follow over the next weeks and be navigating the world oceans under black, red and gold.

With this commitment to the German flag, the shipping company SAL wants to strengthen the German maritime cluster with its unique shipping know-how. Training on board vessels flying the German flag is ranked top-class internationally. According to the shipping company, in the long term, top level maritime training in Germany can only be sustained with seafarers employed under the German flag.

“We are very proud to return to the German Flag,” says Sebastian Westphal, Corporate Director Ship Management at SAL. “The German flag stands for quality, safety and compliance, and these are core values in SAL, so the German Flag and our corporate objectives goes well in hand.”

Toshio Yamazaki, CEO of SAL Heavy Lift adds: “It was a logical consequence: a German family owned business with German built vessels, operated by many German officers, and now provided by all the advantages of a German Flag. We are proud to put a “made in Germany” tag to what we do – and now sailing the German Flag underlines our commitment to quality and safety.”

The decision to re-flag follows careful considerations on the fleet management process in SAL. Sebastian Westphal comments: “In view of the many benefits of the German Flag, we decided to initiate the re-flagging process. We are happy with the good cooperation we have had with BG Verkehr and DNV GL on the matter, and I know our crew on board is proud to hoist the German flag.”

SAL Heavy Lift GmbH has been a member of the Harren & Partner Group in Bremen for a year. The shipping company’s fleet comprises 21 heavy lift vessels.