Jumbo Shipping, a market leader in oversized and heavyweight cargo transportation,  has confirmed the order for a second new K-class vessel, with an option on a third, to complement its existing fleet.

Jumbo said after careful consideration and engineering study, it has decided to upgrade the lifting capacity of the vessels from 1,300 to 1,500mt, enabling tandem lifts of 3,000mt.

These vessels will comfortably surpass the capability of other vessels in their class and reassert Jumbo's leading market position, the company said in a statement.

This latest investment underlines Jumbo’s long-term commitment to its existing and new clients. The company's strategy of continuing re-investment, renewal and development of its fleet is proceeding, as has been its practice for more than forty years, it added.

According to the top shipping group, the K-class vessels are being built at the Brodosplit shipyard in Split, Croatia.

The design incorporates Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A (thus ideal for projects in Arctic regions) and each vessel will be prepared for DP2 installation which, when fitted, will provide multi-facet installation support in the offshore sector enabling large and heavy structures to be loaded, transported and installed by a single vessel optimizing project scheduling, safety and efficiency.

The first vessel will be in active service in the autumn of 2013. The sister-ship will follow some six months later.-TradeArabia News Service