Germany's Sietas Shipyard has inked a contract with Shiffahrtskontor Altes Land (SAL) to build two new heavylift vessels.
The total cost of the contract comes to US$170 million and will be financed by HSH Nordbank.
The vessels will be delivered in December 2010 and March 2011. SAL said that the vessels would be the largest and most modern heavylift vessels in the world. They will be able to lift up to 2,000 tonnes of cargo and sail at a maximum speed of 20 knots.
"We are seeing signs that the market will recover in 2011," SAL Managing Director Lars Rolner was quoted as saying by Vinamaso. "We have already received enquiries for expansive orders from the wind energy sector, as well as form the oil and gas industries."
In September 2008, SAL cancelled a four-vessel contract with Sietas due to the increase in raw material prices causing an increase in the agreed price.
SAL has a total of 16 heavylift vessels.
