Sirius Shipping has christened its new 15,215 DWT chemical tanker, M/T Marinus, at a ceremony on Donsö, marking the first vessel of a 15K series built at China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard. The vessel has entered a long-term time charter with VAROPreem to support its European marine logistics network, transporting both conventional products and renewable feedstocks. Equipped with a 420 kWh hybrid battery, 1,000 kW shore power, and Ice Class 1A, the Kongsberg-designed vessel advances Sirius’s “Pathway to Zero” sustainability strategy.
Donsö, Sweden | September 24, 2026 – Sirius Shipping has christened its new 15,000-dwt tanker Marinus during a ceremony on Donsö, marking the delivery of the first vessel in the company’s new Evolution 15K series.
The tanker was delivered on July 10 from China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard in China and will enter regular service under a time-charter arrangement with European energy company VAROPreem.
A Strong Partnership Built on Shared Standards
The christening marks a significant milestone in a long-standing relationship. M/T Marinus is the third vessel built jointly by Sirius and the Chinese shipyard, following earlier deliveries Saturnus and Mercurius in late 2018 and early 2019.
Sirius maintains an on-site team at the shipyard throughout construction to ensure adherence to the rigorous “Sirius Standard.” With a total of eight vessels built or under construction at the yard, including a series of upcoming 8K vessels, the close collaboration streamlines production and enhances operational reliability.
Jonas Backman, Managing Director of Sirius Shipping, said “With eight vessels built or under construction at the same yard, we don’t have to start by explaining ourselves. They know how to build to our standard, our site team knows how to work with them, and that trust makes everything go faster. The yard has evolved since we built Saturnus and Mercurius, just as we have, and Marinus has benefited from that. Marinus is built for the cargoes and the waters VAROPreem operates in, and for the people who work onboard. We put as much thought into how people live and work onboard as into how the vessel carries cargo.”
Advanced Environmental and Technical Profile
Designed by Kongsberg Maritime to the NVC 614 CT concept, M/T Marinus incorporates cutting-edge green technology aimed at driving sustainable shipping forward under Sirius’s “Pathway to Zero” strategy:
- Zero Emissions at Berth: Equipped with a 420 kWh hybrid battery pack and a powerful 1,000 kW shore power connection.
- Ice Class: Built to Ice Class 1A specifications for demanding northern waters.
- Future Fuels: Fully prepared for future conversion to run on methanol.
- Cargo Flexibility: Features MarineLine coated tanks designed for safe, versatile liquid transport.
The vessel’s financing was arranged through Svenska Skeppshypotek, with the newbuilding contract brokered by Hans Christian Giæver-Enger at SSY.
Supporting the Energy Transition
For charterer VAROPreem, a major European energy company formed by the combination of VARO and Preem, M/T Marinus represents critical infrastructure in connecting global supply chains with regional manufacturing and logistics.
Dev Sanyal, Group CEO of VAROPreem, noted “Marinus is a powerful example of a strategic partnership between an integrated energy company and the supply chain. Energy may be traded globally, but ultimately it is a physical business. You need the infrastructure and capabilities to get it where it is needed. By connecting our global sourcing and trading capabilities with our manufacturing system, logistics network and customers, Marinus gives us greater flexibility and more options in constantly changing markets. Importantly, the vessel can move both the conventional products our customers depend on today and the renewable feedstocks and products that will increasingly flow through our system, supporting both resilience and the energy transition.”
Sirius and VAROPreem have partnered continuously for over 30 years. M/T Marinus will soon be joined by its sister vessel, Maximus, under the same long-term arrangement.
Vessel Particulars: M/T Marinus (Evolution 15K)
- Length: 147.00 m
- Beam: 22.00 m
- Summer Draught: 9.10 m
- Deadweight: 15,215 MT
- Cargo Capacity: 17,530 m³
- Main Engine: 5,850 kW
- Flag / Class: Bureau Veritas (Ice Class 1A)
About Sirius Shipping
Sirius Shipping is a family-owned company based on the island of Donsö outside Gothenburg, operating across Sirius Shipping, Sirius Chartering, and Sirius Agency. “The Sirius Way” defines the company’s shared culture, guiding everything it does, internally and externally, ashore and onboard. Through its “Pathway to Zero” sustainability strategy, Sirius actively works to reduce its environmental impact and drive the transition toward more sustainable shipping. Sirius is committed to being the long-term first choice.
About VAROPreem
VAROPreem is a leading energy company formed through the combination of VARO and Preem. It operates across manufacturing, trading, and logistics with a balanced portfolio spanning conventional and sustainable fuels. With seven manufacturing hubs, access to more than 120 terminals, and operations serving business customers in 33 countries, VAROPreem plays a key role in delivering energy security and lower-carbon solutions.
Source: Sirius Shipping