In a groundbreaking move that signals a paradigm shift in the realm of heavy lift shipping, industry giants Jumbo, SAL, and Intermarine have forged an unprecedented alliance, marking a significant milestone in their collective legacy. The newly formed JSI Alliance amalgamates the expertise, heritage, and esteemed reputation of these three renowned carriers, pooling their fleets and commercial endeavors for breakbulk and project cargo.
The genesis of JSI Alliance can be traced back to the commercial alliance established between Jumbo and SAL in 2021, reflecting a natural evolution of their collaborative efforts. This alliance establishes a unified commercial interface, offering seamless sales and marketing services through their extensive network spanning 23 countries worldwide. Boasting a diverse fleet of approximately 50 vessels, ranging from versatile multipurpose vessels to cutting-edge heavy lift ships with a remarkable lifting capacity of up to 3,000 tons SWL, JSI Alliance emerges as a comprehensive one-stop destination for customers seeking maritime transport solutions.
“After three years in a successful joint venture, Dutch maritime heavy lift transport and engineering contractor Jumbo Shipping and German breakbulk and project cargo specialist SAL Heavy Lift are thrilled to welcome their American sister, multipurpose and liner operator Intermarine, to the group. On 1 March 2024, JSI Alliance will be ready to set sail with a new combined fleet of 50 vessels.“
Intermarine President Richard Seeg explains: “This is a great step for Intermarine and a significant milestone for us in our over 35 years of business. We’re a sister company to SAL, which means we’ve had some cooperation up to this point. But forming a real commercial joint venture and alliance marks the beginning of a new and greater adventure. I’ve truly admired what Jumbo and SAL have managed to achieve over the past three years, and I’m excited to bring the Intermarine product to the joint venture. This will add more services and an expanded reach to the portfolio. With our strength, especially in the Americas, I’m sure our alliance is off to a great start.”
JSI Alliance epitomizes both commercial flexibility and technical prowess, offering a spectrum of services ranging from semi-liner and liner services to tailored project shipping solutions worldwide. From small parcels to intricate industrial cargo units, customers can leverage a myriad of transport options tailored to their specific needs.
Laurens Govers, Director Chartering & Projects at Jumbo Shipping, adds: “When we launched our commercial alliance with SAL three years ago, we weren’t sure how the market and our customers would receive this new take on a commercial cooperation in the heavy lift sector. Today, we look back at the success it’s been. Through our growing relationship with Intermarine as well, I’m confident that our new setup and wider service scope as JSI Alliance will be a valuable addition to our platform. Every customer, from EPCs and industrial equipment manufacturers to project freight forwarders, will find transport services that can benefit their business and projects in our new constellation.”
While the services and fleets of Jumbo and SAL exhibit remarkable synergy, the inclusion of Intermarine introduces a complementary dimension, expanding the alliance’s scope and versatility. Intermarine’s fleet, characterized by standardized multipurpose vessels with a SWL of up to 500 tons, seamlessly complements the offerings of Jumbo and SAL, reinforcing JSI Alliance’s position as a comprehensive solution provider.
Intermarine COO Lars Rasmussen says: “We have a setup where we can combine many different vessels and service scopes. With JSI Alliance, you can find simple, straightforward transport solutions as well as the capacity to handle the most complex heavy lift projects. We can combine standard multipurpose ships, with mighty heavy lifters, deck carriers and even in some case bulk vessels – all under our operation and management. I’ve been in bulk, breakbulk and project shipping for over three decades now, and I’ve never seen a commercial solution as comprehensive as this.”
With a collective experience exceeding 120 years, Jumbo, SAL, and Intermarine share a common ethos and values, facilitating seamless collaboration within the alliance framework. Unified under the JSI Alliance banner, the sales teams operate in unison, prioritizing customer satisfaction and fostering enduring relationships.
SAL Heavy Lift Managing Director Jens Baumgarten summarises: “We’ve obviously gained vital experience in our years of commercial partnership with Jumbo. JSI Alliance emerged more or less organically with our closer commercial cooperation with our sister company, Intermarine. That being said, we’ve worked intensively over the past several months to prepare and set up our structures so we can operate effectively from day one. Our greatest priority is keeping our customers happy – both during and after each project and shipment. We believe that the added value we create for our customers will strengthen relationships and lead to repeat transport inquiries over many years.”
Intermarine CEO Svend Andersen stresses: “JSI Alliance is the pinnacle of commercial innovation in heavy lift shipping. My many years in shipping have given me good instincts for which collaborations work and which don’t. I have no doubt that this one is a winner. Combining our strengths both commercially and technically outmatches any other operator in the market. Whether in Asia, Europe, Africa, the US or South America – the JSI Alliance organisation ensures that every customer gets the best possible service.”
As JSI Alliance assumes its mantle as the premier marketing platform and brand, Jumbo, SAL, and Intermarine maintain their autonomy as operators and owners, ensuring continued agility and market presence.
Daan Koornneef, CEO of Jumbo Shipping, concludes: “I’ve truly enjoyed witnessing the progress and the effective way our three organisations have come together, where we build on the success of the now former Jumbo-SAL-Alliance.” And Dr. Martin Harren, CEO of SAL Heavy Lift and Harren Group, agrees: “For our company and group, it’s vital that we remain agile commercially and operationally, and seize the opportunities as they come – this is the true spirit of our organisations. JSI Alliance marks a new cornerstone for our business.”
About JSI Alliance
JSI Alliance stands for sea logistics of all types of heavy lift, breakbulk and project cargo in all markets. Side by side, three of the most prominent and technologically advanced breakbulk and heavy lift carriers, Jumbo Shipping, SAL Heavy Lift and Intermarine, are combining their strengths and resources to deliver the best maritime transport solutions to customers worldwide. Three united teams and three fleets operate as one shared fleet – specialised in their respective business fields. And customers benefit from simplified, full scope services. JSI Alliance controls and operates around 50 owned and chartered project cargo vessels – of these, 25 high-end project cargo vessels. With three DP2 vessels, four semi-submersible deck carriers, two range-extending Fly-Jibs and eleven ice-class vessels, JSI Alliance can reach almost any location and master the most demanding scopes. JSI can also organise time charter vessels if needed.
JSI Alliance provides highly flexible shipping solutions and an unparalleled range of breakbulk and project shipping services in the market. Lifting capacities from standardised multipurpose ships range from 160 t SWL to 3,000 t SWL. As such, JSI Alliance manages the largest fleet of vessels in the +800-t lifting segment as well as the most advanced green heavy lift ships, with Orca series vessels launching in 2024. This provides a commercial bandwidth that stretches from rapid positioning vessels for smaller or larger single shipments to large volume contracts and full-scope solutions for complex projects – all under one roof. A strong group of experienced professionals – commercial, engineering, project management, QHSE – works closely together with a combined network of agents and offices worldwide. They provide partnership, expert advice and safely delivered goods to a wide range of clients, including EPCs, brokers, forwarders, OEMs, energy companies and more.
Source Jumbo Shipping