Germany’s SAL Heavy Lift has lifted its orderbook at Wuhu Shipyard in China to five firm 14，600 dwt heavylift multipurpose (MPP) vessels.

The Hamburg-based outfit of the Harren Group already had four 149.9 m long ships at Wuhu for delivery starting in mid-year 2024. The first two ships will be exclusively involved in the shipping of offshore wind turbine components in a long-term commitment with Siemens Gamesa. Two additional sister vessels will enter the heavylift shipping market as part of the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance in the first half of 2025.

The latest of the SAL Heavy Lift’s ultra-efficient vessels of the so-called Orca Class was firmed up at the Marintec exhibition in Shanghai. The ship will be named Vera and is set to deliver in mid-2025.

All five newbuilds are part of a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport to promote sustainability and emission reduction in the maritime industry. SAL has one more option remaining at the shipyard.