Spliethoff, a leading Dutch ship management company, has announced a major expansion of its fleet, placing an order for eight new multi-purpose vessels with an option for two additional vessels. The new L-type vessels, built by Wuhu Shipyard Co. Ltd. in China, are set to be delivered starting in the first quarter of 2028.
The new L-type vessels are designed to handle a wide range of dry cargo, including paper products, bulk materials, project cargo, and containers. These versatile vessels are equipped with Finnish/Swedish 1A Ice-Class certification, allowing them to operate in icy waters, further enhancing Spliethoff’s capacity to provide reliable transportation in challenging environments. With a length of 203.25 meters, a beam of 28.25 meters, and a maximum draft of 10.5 meters, these vessels will have a total cargo capacity of approximately 33,700 cubic meters and a deadweight of 28,600 metric tons (mt), making them the largest in the company’s fleet.
Energy Efficiency and Future-Ready Design
One of the standout features of these new vessels is their energy-efficient design. Spliethoff has taken considerable measures to future-proof the vessels by incorporating slender hull lines that minimize resistance in water, leading to fuel savings and reduced emissions. The L-type ships will also be prepared for the integration of future fuels, making them adaptable as the shipping industry transitions toward more sustainable energy solutions.
In addition to their fuel-efficient design, the vessels are equipped with cutting-edge cargo handling capabilities. They feature five side loaders (lifts) and three heavy-lift cranes, each with a lifting capacity of 150 mt, combinable to 300 mt Safe Working Load (SWL). The deck space is unobstructed, offering a flexible platform for loading and transporting large, bulky cargo. The bridge, located at the front of the ship, provides better visibility and maneuverability.
A Commitment to Client Service and Sustainability
Michael van den Heuvel, Chief Commercial Officer of Spliethoff, expressed the company’s excitement about the fleet expansion, stating, “We are convinced that we will have secured excellent service to our clients for the future and look forward to welcoming these energy-efficient vessels into our fleet. We are proud of this step forward and believe that the L-type will play an important role in the sustainable future of our company.”
With the addition of the new L-type vessels, Spliethoff is poised to strengthen its service offerings, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient future in global maritime transport.
About Spliethoff
Founded in 1921, Spliethoff has nearly a century of experience in ocean transport and ship management. The company manages a fleet of around 50 modern, Dutch-flagged multipurpose vessels, ranging from 11,000 to 23,000 DWT, all of which are equipped with removable tweendecks and cargo cranes with lifting capacities of up to 240 tonnes in tandem lift. Spliethoff’s vessels, most of which are Finnish/Swedish Ice-Class 1A, are capable of operating in extreme conditions, from tropical climates to the icy waters of the Antarctic.
The company is committed to maintaining high safety and quality standards, with a team of highly trained professionals both on board the vessels and in ports around the world. Spliethoff provides reliable, worldwide ocean transport services, backed by its extensive global office network.
The Spliethoff Group
Spliethoff is part of the larger Spliethoff Group, one of the Netherlands’ largest ship management companies. The group operates a fleet of more than 100 vessels across a broad range of specialized services, including dry cargo, breakbulk, project cargo, and heavy lifts under the BigLift Shipping™ brand. The group also offers container and Ro-Ro cargo services via Transfennica™ and Transfennica Logistics™, shortsea shipping through Wijnne Barends™, and yacht transport under the Sevenstar Yacht Transport® brand.
The Spliethoff Group’s fleet includes multipurpose geared tweendeckers, heavy lift vessels, semi-submersibles, and Ro-Ro vessels, with many of its ships certified for Ice Class Swedish/Finnish 1A or Super 1A operations. This certification allows the group to continue its operations in some of the most challenging conditions around the world, demonstrating a commitment to both reliability and sustainability.
Source Spliethoff