UHL Fable Completes Maiden Voyage Carrying Blades From China to Germany
United Heavy Lift has named the newest addition to its F900 Eco-Lifter fleet, the multipurpose heavy-lift vessel UHL Fable.
The newbuild was named during a ceremony at the Baakenhöft Terminal near the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in the Port of Hamburg. UHL Fable is the nineteenth vessel in the Eco-Lifter series, and follows the launch of its sister ship, UHL Fresh, earlier this year.
Before the ceremony, UHL Fable completed its maiden voyage transporting a shipment of Vestas onshore wind turbine rotor blades from Tianjin and Dongzhao in China to Cuxhaven in Germany. The ship was built at the Hudong Shipyard in Shanghai.
The breakbulk carrier took delivery of its first F900 vessel in 2019.
“We are very happy to be naming yet another vessel in our home port of Hamburg,” Andreas Rolner, managing director United Heavy Lift, said during the naming ceremony.
“The UHL Fable completes our F900 Eco-Lifter fleet, which stands for United Heavy Lift’s commitment to promoting sustainable shipping. It is the most modern and homogeneous heavy lift fleet in the world. There is a strong global demand for alternative energy sources, and we are proud to be part of the supply chain for green energy.”
According to United Heavy Lift, the F900 Eco-Lifter series, with its combined lifting capacity of 900 tons, has been designed and built according to the latest technological standards and is equipped with state-of-the-art systems and the most economical propulsion technology.
The 150-meter-long UHL Fable features high and low-pressure selective reduction catalysts to meet IMO Tier III requirements and boasts a carbon footprint 30-50% less compared to existing heavy-lift vessels in the market. The ship is also designed to run on biodiesel, making the operation of its main engine carbon neutral.
“We are supporting the energy transition with our vessels, and the transport of onshore wind turbines is part of our core business,” Rolner said. “The market for this is developing well with demand driven by the desired expansion of renewable energies. Our customers have already reserved extensive capacities for wind power: We are already 30% booked in this segment until 2028.”
Founded in 2015, United Heavy Lift is part of the United Group based in Hamburg’s HafenCity, and boasts a global team of 120 employees.
United Heavy Lift is an exhibitor at Breakbulk Europe 2024.
