Svitzer goes large on lightering

摘要

Svitzer Salvage is the first salvage company to go public on lightering technology for mega-vessels. There are more than 60 super-size ships today, operating in multiple sectors. The sheer size of the largest box ships (18,500teu, with a length of 400m) presents a significant salvage challenge. The technology on Svitzer's drawing board could be applied to distressed VLCSs and giant bulkers. Speaking to IHS Maritime, the company's commercial chief, Renier van den Bichelaer, described it as a modular crane system that would be "airlifted and landed on the top of the ship".