Dutch owner Vertom has returned to India to add to its big orderbook of cargo vessels.
It said it has contracted four 10,700-dwt geared tweendeckers at Chowgule & Co for delivery in 2027 and 2028.
The ships are designed to handle a mix of dry cargo, and breakbulk/project cargo.
No price has been given for the deal.
The vessels will be deployed on the Europe Caribbean Line liner service, operated in partnership with the Netherlands’ Vertraco Shipping.
The run connects Europe with the northern coast of South America.
The order adds to one for a dozen 5,600-dwt diesel-electric cargo ship ships placed at Chowgule in February.
There are also 10 7,000-dwt cargo ships on order at Thecla Bodewes yard in the Netherlands.
Vertom is a shortsea operator formerly known as Shipping Co Groningen.
Chief executive Arjan de Jong said in February that the first Chowgule ships were developed with Groot Ship Design.
The vessels contain one box-shaped dry cargo hold, fitted for bulk cargoes.
Meanwhile, the company has sold one of its older ships, the 5,600-dwt Rebecca (built 2008), to an undisclosed buyer, according to brokers.
It retains 44 operational vessels, of which five were built at Chowgule
The fleet is mostly general cargo ships, but includes three multipurpose units.
Thecla Bodewes has already delivered seven vessels to Vertom since 2022.
