29.06.2015

Sarens forms Chinese joint venture

Belgian International heavy lifting and transportation group Sarens has agreed a joint venture with Sinotrans Heavy-lift Logistics, a subsidiary of the government-owned Sinotrans & CSC group. The aim of the new venture Sinotrans Sarens Logistics - registered in Shanghai - is to provide Chinese customers with heavy lifting and engineered transportation solutions.

The new company will focus mainly on large engineering projects and in particular modular offshore projects. The current switch to pre-assembled modular construction and the implementation of the Chinese ‘offshore equipment project plan’ creates new opportunities in the Chinese modular offshore market. To realise this Sinotrans Sarens Logistics will purchase a total of 180 axles SPMTs as well as training staff to provide advanced engineered transport solutions.

Wim Sarens, chief executive Sarens Group said: “Until recently Sarens was mainly involved in projects with non-Chinese customers due to policy constraints and market barriers which many foreign companies experience. The new initiative by president Xi Jinping “One Belt and One Road” creates new opportunities for China to open up and connecting Asia’s economic belt with Europe’s economic belt".

"Finding a complimentary Chinese partner was always a next step for us. Eventually a partner was found in Sinotrans Heavy-lift Logistics, a suitable partner to guide us into the Chinese market because of its strong brand and large domestic market share. We are confident that the venture between Sinotrans and Sarens is the bright start of a shining future for both companies.”