Germany’s dship Carriers has sealed a contract for a series of next-generation heavylift multipurpose ships in China.
The Hamburg owner has picked China Merchants Jinling Shipyard for the deal involving four firm 15,000-dwt D500 vessels, with two plus two options attached.
dship said the design represents a leap forward in innovation, emphasising efficiency and performance.
“These vessels boast a significant reduction in fuel consumption, aligning with environmental sustainability goals,” the owner added.
No price has been revealed for the ships.
dship explained the MPPs have 50% more cargo hold and deck capacity than similar vessels.
“I am immensely proud of the team’s collective effort, with special recognition for our exceptional engineering and project team," said chief executive Lars Feller.
“Their dedication and technical expertise were instrumental in shaping the vessels to meet the highest standards. This project showcases what can be achieved when expertise and vision come together,” he added.
Construction is set to begin shortly, with delivery expected in 2025.
The deal will reinforce dship Carriers’ commitment to driving positive change in maritime transport, the owner said.
Charter expansion
In 2021, the company expanded its fleet to 20 vessels with the addition of two units taken on long-term charter.
The owner took delivery of the 4,200-dwt MPP heavylift vessels Eemslift Daphne and Eemslift Nadine (both built 2014).
They joined the carrier after operating in the fleet of Dutch company Amasus Shipping.
The shallow-draught vessels were the fastest in the German operator’s fleet.
They are certified for open-hatch sailing and are equipped with two cranes with a combined lifting capacity up to 300 metric tonnes.
dship, which is part of Switzerland’s Deugro group, has been handling several large project cargoes in recent years.
