Working Conditions Aboard the Prinsengracht

The HHL New York has officially been sold to the Dutch shipping company Spliethoff. The transaction took place as part of a package deal, with the purchase price remaining confidential. This move marks a significant step for both HHL and Spliethoff, leveraging synergies in their operations and expanding their fleets.

Hansa Heavy Lift (HHL) has successfully accomplished two significant voyages along the western boundary of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), effectively delivering vital cargoes including a 365-tonne heat exchanger from Fairless Hills, USA, and power generation equipment from Italy to Sabetta, Russia. The vessels involved in this operation, HHL NEW YORK and HHL AMAZON, both classified under Ice Class E3 (Finnish-Swedish Ice Class 1A), demonstrated exceptional resilience as they traversed through 0.7 meters of ice in frigid conditions, with temperatures plummeting to -19 °C. Joerg Roehl, managing director and chief commercial officer of Hansa Heavy Lift, emphasized the challenges posed by the Arctic environment, stating, "When travelling in the Arctic region you are faced with extreme weather conditions, whereby it is of utmost importance to secure the correct permits and find reliable partners to work with." He further noted the growing significance of the NSR, mentioning, "The NSR is an increasingly important route, and our use of it nearly doubled in the last year; however, it takes careful preparation, experience, and the right equipment in order to succeed." With the NSR's operational window limited to just four months before it becomes impassable due to ice, HHL's strategic efforts enabled them to successfully conduct five voyages in the region during 2015. Most notably, in October, HHL Valparaiso completed a full east-to-west transit of the NSR, carrying windmill equipment from China to Poland. This showcases HHL's commitment to enhancing maritime logistics in challenging environments, solidifying their role as a leader in the heavy lift sector.