SAL Heavy Lift has strengthened its future fleet strategy by securing long-term charters for three next-generation Octopus 12.6 class multipurpose heavy lift vessels, further enhancing its capability to serve complex project cargo markets worldwide. The move aligns with the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding and modernizing its fleet with vessels designed for flexibility, efficiency and demanding cargo operations.
Scheduled for delivery in 2028, the Octopus 12.6 class vessels have been designed by CSSC-SDARI and will feature large box-shaped cargo holds, a combined crane lifting capacity of 500 tonnes, Ice Class 1A notation and fuel-efficient vessel designs. The newbuildings are intended to support a wide range of heavy lift and project cargo requirements, offering enhanced operational versatility in both conventional and challenging trading environments.
SAL said the investment reflects its strategy of adding the right capabilities rather than simply increasing fleet numbers. The company emphasized that continuous fleet modernization is essential to meeting the evolving demands of global project logistics, while ensuring customers benefit from reliable, flexible and future-ready transport solutions.
The Octopus 12.6 programme reinforces SAL’s position in the heavy lift and project cargo sector, supporting the transportation of oversized, high-value and specialized cargoes across international markets. With advanced cargo-handling features and improved efficiency, the vessels are expected to play a key role in the company’s long-term growth and service expansion plans.