SAL engages digitalisation strategy with new CIO

Shipping group SAL Heavy Lift is strengthening its digital strategy and developing new online-based services by creating a new position in charge of information technology and digitalisation.

SAL Heavy Lift and owners Harren & Partner have appointed Claas Matthies, currently managing director, as the new group chief information officer (CIO).

He will manage the group’s digital strategy and be responsible for the group’s accounting and merger and acquisition activities.

This is a bold move signalling SAL’s intent for further growth by strengthening its adoption of digitalisation and associated technologies, said SAL Heavy Lift chief executive Martin Harren.

“Digitalisation of business processes is becoming an ever-more competitive parameter and we see great potential in developing our digital landscape even further from today,” he explained.

“As a modern and dynamic shipping group, information technology plays a vital role in our further growth and development. I am happy to see Claas taking on this challenge in combination with his other activities within group accounting and our M&A activities,” Dr Harren said.

Additionally, SAL and Harren & Partner has appointed Soeren Bibow as chief financial officer (CFO). He has more than 20 years experience with leading German corporate banking institutions where he oversaw shipping and maritime investments.

Mr Bibow will be responsible for financing and treasury and will play a key role in developing and executing the group’s strategic growth targets.

Both CIO and CFO appointments were effective as of 6 January 2020.

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SAL Heavy Lift is a leading transporter of heavy and project cargo across oceans for maritime and offshore operations with a fleet of specialised ships.

These include Type 183 ships with dynamic positioning systems and an optional mountable fly-jib for greater crane outreach.

Its Type 171 and 116 heavy lift vessels are 1A ice class, capable of trading in Arctic waters and northern sea route transits.

Riviera Maritime Media will be running a series of Optimised Ship Forums in Singapore, the Middle East and Europe in 2020

Riviera’s next events are in London on 4-6 February for the Annual Offshore Support Journal Conference and associated events covering dynamic positioning, offshore wind support vessels and offshore subsea construction and maintenance projects