The Dutch shortsea operator Longship has ordered two 6,000-dwt multipurpose (MPP) vessels at domestic Bijlsma Shipyard in a fleet expansion move.
The contract is worth £21m ($25m).
Longship managing partner and CEO Oyvind Sivertsen confirmed the deal.
“This is a milestone in Longship’s 11-year history. As an industrial carrier, we further implement our vision of a homogeneous modern fleet,” he said.
“The company is continuously looking into expansion possibilities and new technologies to ensure sustainable growth that will keep our fleet up to date and future-proof.”
The first vessel is set for delivery in the last quarter of this year. The second joins the Longship fleet in the first quarter of 2022.
Longship will handle commercial management of the ships, while the VMS Shipping Group will handle technical management. The project is a joint venture between Longship and VMS.
Groningen-based Longship operates a fleet of close to 30 shortsea vessels with an average age of less than 14 years. In 2019, Longship had revenue of £71m.
Last year, the company bought a 50% stake in Moss-based Wagle Chartering, which focuses on smaller vessels up to 4,000 dwt.
Longship managing partner Michel Cigrang, who is also a shareholder, said that he has seen a number of changes in the shortsea sector since joining in 2014, including in financing, ownership and environmental requirements.
"Consolidation of our market is inevitable, too. I am a strong believer of our growth strategy. The first steps were made at the end of last year by acquiring 50% of Wagle Chartering, " he said.
