After spending 12 years at sea, Captain and Business Graduate, Peter Harren, sets up his own shipping company with the acquisition of his first coastal cargo liner, “ORION III”.

After the successful operation of the first vessel 'ORION III', the two 3,600 TDW vessels “PADUA” and 'PANDORA' can be commissioned. 

Company founder Peter Harren recognizes a market demand for container feeder vessels and orders 'PARANGA' which is put into service in 1994.

The first heavy lift vessel 'PALAMOS' is ordered. With its special feature, a RoRo stern ramp, the new vessel is very flexible to use.  

Excellent people and a solid education is crucial for a successful business operation and so Peter Harren initiates the first apprenticeship with two apprentices. 

The now 20-ship fleet reaches new heights after acquiring the largest vessels to date: two Panamax bulk carriers, “PAIUTE” and “PEORIA” with approx. 70,000 TDW.

Not only the fleet is growing, as is the number of employees. Peter Harren invests into the building of an own office building.

Following a long-term collaboration with the Danish shipping company J. Poulsen Shipping, a joint venture, K/S Combi Lift, is founded to cover the heavy lift and project market. 

Brigitta, solicitor, joins her father’s business by taking over the Legal Personnel Department for onshore employees.

Continuing its development strategy, Harren & Partner enters the tanker market with the acquisition of two product tankers, “Sichem Padua” and “Sichem Pandora”. A further eight state-of-the-art product tankers are then ordered from a shipyard in Shanghai. 

Together with another ship owner, trans-Mar-supply is founded to take advantage of the synergies of a large fleet. The joint venture now organises all strategic and operative purchasing actives for around 100 vessels, significantly reducing operating costs. 

Joining his father and sister in their family business, 
Dr. Martin Harren begins leading the Ship Financing and Business Accounting for the individual single purpose shipping companies. 

The rapid company growth requires an office building extension which increases the overall capacity to approximately 4,750 m². 

For the ever-growing demand for customised transport solutions for complex heavy lift and project cargo, H&P Logistics & Engineering is established, adding maritime logistics to Harren & Partner's service portfolio.

The group’s first dock ship is delivered from German shipyard Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven. The new ship type combines the functions of a dock ship with those of a RoRo and heavy lift vessel and is a novelty in the shipping industry.

Business graduate Imke Harren joins her siblings as Peter Harren's assistant, taking over the internal corporate communications. 

In the year of its 20th anniversary, Harren & Partner has around 1,800 employees aboard and 145 colleagues ashore and expands the fleet to 50 vessels through the delivery of product tanker 'PATANI' from Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai. 

H&Ps is pursuing its strategy of a diversified fleet by building the two largest units so far: "PABAL" and "PABUR", two Panamax-class bulk carriers capable of carrying 76,000 tons. Ice class E1 enables the vessels to travel through ice-exposed regions. The modern design combined with an unusual draught opens up further employment opportunities. 

In order to get closer to the company's crew and potential candidates, Harren & Partner founds a crew liaison office in Turkey.

H&P made an important move to enlarge its tanker fleet by taking over five units within a remarkably short time. Two Panamax tankers of 73,400 TDW each, built in 2006 and 2007, as well as three small handysize tankers of 20,000 TDW further enhance Harren & Partner’s reputation as responsible and cost-efficient ship managers.

Combi Lift's team relocates to the headquarters of Harren & Partner in Bremen. This step facilitates the cooperation with vessel operations even further.

On board the 52 vessels of the Harren & Partner fleet, the new GL Ship Manager software systems, 'ShipManager Analyzer' and 'ShipManager QHSE', are implemented.

Another important step to be closer to our seafaring colleagues and to improve our recruiting activities is taken with the cooperation of our long-term crewing agency 'Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila) Inc.' In Manila. Instead of opening an entirely new office, we benefit from our partner's established office setup, a valuable network, as well as our its extensive experience in the Philippine crew market.

We set up a new ship management office in Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico to render fast and efficient ship management services to our vessels and customers in the offshore sector. It serves as a local representative and supportive operational institution to the H&P managed offshore units in the Gulf of Mexico.

Becoming technical manager of Wind Lift I is a big step forward for the group’s offshore department, now being responsible for managing this impressive jack-up vessel.

SAL becomes the group’s new dominant player in the heavy lift division with a 900 t – 2000 t crane capacity, and a fleet of 15 vessels. 

The new entity is an independent engineering house within the Harren & Partner Group, utilizing know-how and practical experience that had been obtained over 35 years in heavy lift and project shipping.

SAL Heavy Lift and Intermarine (two of the most recognised names in the world of heavy-lift shipping) come together to create one of the most comprehensive maritime breakbulk/heavy-lift solutions across the Atlantic.

Bremer Bereederungsgellschaft (BBG) and the group combine their expertise to welcome a new brand with a dedicated fleet of 23 bulk carriers.

Presenting a powerhouse in the heavy-lift sector. This joint venture creates a new commercial heavyweight in project and breakbulk shipping, with a fleet of 30 highly versatile project cargo vessels.

Atheleon is the new go-to market brand for dedicated offshore assignments, especially in the renewables sector.

As a platform of collaboration and connection, Harren & Partner is renamed to Harren Group. With this step the group unites the best minds in maritime and project logistics to solve the toughest client challenges on land and at sea.