Arriva Shipping of Norway is ordering a newbuilding for the first time.
The 8,500-dwt bulker will be built in China and outfitted in Norway. The Olen-based company also has an option to book additional ships at the undisclosed yard.
The firm ship is likely to cost $13m to $15m, depending on specifications.
We take the new emission rules seriously and want to be ahead of the game in our fleet renewal
Managing director Sindre Matre
The newbuilding, which will be a hybrid vessel that can switch between battery and diesel sailing, was developed in close cooperation with Bergen consultancy firm Marine Design & Consulting.
The ship’s large battery packs will allow it to sail in and out of port emissions-free.
“We take the new emission rules seriously and want to be ahead of the game in our fleet renewal,” managing director Sindre Matre told Norwegian daily Finansavisen.
The order was placed by Arriva Innovation, in which Arriva Shipping holds a 60% stake. The Peak Group of Bergen has a 20% share in Arriva Innovation.
Arriva Innovation operates 60 small bulkers and generates about NOK 1.5bn ($190m) in revenue.
Family owned Arriva Shipping has a fleet of six owned and eight chartered bulkers, and had revenue of around NOK 350m last year.
The company was founded in 1972 as Sandfrakt, initially concentrating on transporting sand, but changed its name to Arriva Shipping as it became more international and carried many other cargoes.
