SAL Heavy Lift was acquired by Harren & Partner in July from Japan's K Line and is re-flagging six vessels – Svenja, Anne-Sofie, Trina, Regine, Maria and Wiebke. The first vessel Svenja was re-flagged with the German flag on 22 September.
“We are very proud to return to the German Flag,” said Sebastian Westphal, corporate director ship management at SAL
“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,” commented Toshio Yamazaki, ceo of SAL Heavy Lift.
The company is working with German Social Accident Insurance Institution for Commercial Transport, Postal Logistics and Telecommunication (BG Verkehr) and DNV GL on the re-flagging process.
“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 onboard is proud to hoist the German flag,” Westphal added.
It will be welcome news to the German flag with the country's shipowning community undergoing tough times.
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