June 21 - On behalf of SVITZER Sverige AB, SAL has transported two brand-new tug boats, each weighing 500 tonnes from Gothenburg in Sweden to Newcastle in Australia.

SAL says that the utilisation of a heavy lift vessel for transportation is more cost-effective and four times faster in transit time.

Working closely with the client, SAL designed and manufactured a cradle in a very short time to guarantee a seaworthy shipment on SAL's vessel, Annegret.

The two SVITZER tugs were discharged at Newcastle's new project and general cargo berth Mayfield No. 4. During the discharge, the pier was christened by the NSW Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay.

Meanwhile, earlier this month SAL's vessel Regine discharged two Liebherr Rail Mounted Cranes LPS 600 during very severe weather conditions in Dahej, India.

Dahej Port is one of the most challenging ports in the world with a tidal range of approximately 10 m and monsoon influenced currents of almost 7 knots, plus winds speeds of about 30 knots.

Regine, one of the latest SAL newbuildings, successfully positioned the cranes directly onto the pier rails constructed. The LPS 600 cranes, the first of their kind ever imported to India, will handle mainly bulk cargoes at Dahej.