A new heavylift and project cargo vessel operator has been established in Italy as a joint venture between German owner Harren Group and shipping agencies Kestrel Italia and Intermare.
KestrelMare has been set up in Genoa to offer a “one-stop shop” by pooling the partners’ resources to offer transport for breakbulk up to super-heavylift cargoes.
It will have access to the partners’ fleet of heavylift vessels, including the 65-ship JSI Alliance fleet.
Harren Group chief executive Dr Martin Harren said: “Italy is a market with a very bright future for the project and heavylift industries. We’ve seen great potential there for a long time.
“Establishing KestrelMare is such an important strategic step for us. It provides new perspectives and opportunities in Italy and the Mediterranean region.”
Kestrel Italia general manager Adolfo Herrero said: “KestrelMare is taking over all Intermare and Kestrel Italia business units, merging them under one brand.
“The new team combines experienced staff from both former companies, allowing us to offer much broader, more dedicated support to all our customers.”
Herrero is joined on KestrelMare’s management team by Guglielmo Viola, Stefania Morasso and Marco Campodonico.
KestrelMare is the new representative office in Italy for Harren Group, including its brands SAL Heavy Lift, Intermarine and Combi Lift.
The new company also serves the JSI Alliance with Dutch joint-venture partner Jumbo Shipping, which Kestrel Italia has supported as a commercial agent for over 30 years.
The JSI Alliance was formed in February when Jumbo Shipping and SAL Heavy Lift teamed up with Houston-based ship operator Intermarine to create a 65-vessel “powerhouse” for breakbulk and project cargo shipping.
