MacGregor Strengthens Heavy-Lift Position with Charter to U.S. Operator

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has strengthened its position in the heavy-lift market by confirming an important new contract to deliver 12 450-tonne capacity heavy-lift cranes for six Ecolift F900 vessels. The 13,300 dwt vessels are being built by two Chinese shipyards, Hudong and Huangpu Wenchong, for long-term charter to U.S. operator Intermarine. Options remain for a further four vessels. The order was booked into fourth quarter 2015 order intake.

“This is a significant contract for MacGregor, representing important next steps into the heavy-lift market,” said Mattias Sundström, sales and marketing director for general cargo ships at MacGregor. “MacGregor is also delivering deck machinery from our Hatlapa range, as well as the Porsgrunn steering gear for these vessels.”

Sundström added: “This order was received together with our partner Luzhou and MacGregor equipment was chosen because we were able to provide an efficient and high quality solution for our customer and can provide total lifecycle support worldwide,” Each vessel will feature two cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 900 tonnes.

“The vessels are an efficient upgrade to our existing bridge-forward F-Class ships. They have the advantage of better stability, larger holds, improved cranes and reduced consumption,” said Frank Fischer, managing director of tonnage procurement, Intermarine, LLC.

The vessels will all be owned by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Leasing. Germany’s Hammonia Reederei subsidiary, Peter Döhle, will be responsible for technical shipmanagement.

MacGregor is part of Cargotec

Delivery of the vessels will begin in the summer of 2017 and continue throughout 2018. Hudong will build four vessels with options for two more. Huangpu Wenchong will build two vessels, also with options for an additional two. Crane deliveries start at the end of 2016.