The Dutch MPP Group Spliethoff is once again working on modernising its fleet with a new type of ship. At least eight freighters of the so-called “L-type” will be built in China.
Shortly after announcing the acquisition of Forestwave, Spliethoff has made it public that an order has been placed with Wuhu Shipyard for the construction of a new series of eight multipurpose vessels with an option for two more vessels – the largest in the fleet. This new series is scheduled for delivery from the first quarter of 2028.
Hamburg-based broker Toepfer Transport ranks Spliethoff third in the fragmented global market in the segment over 100 ton crane capacity. In the market for over 240 tons of heavy-lift capacity, the carrier is even in second place, just behind BBC Chartering from the Leer-based Briese Group. Most recently, the Dutch company realised newbuildings of the so-called B-series. The group, headquartered in Amsterdam, operates a fleet of over 100 MPP and RoRo vessels between 2,100 and 23,000 dwt. The group includes the shipping companies Spliethoff, Bore, Transfennica, Wijnne Barends, BigLift and DYT Superyacht Transport.
The L-type vessels with a deadweight tonnage of 28,600 tons and a capacity of 33,700 m³ are specially designed for the transportation of various types of dry cargo, including paper products, bulk cargo, project cargo and containers. They will have the Finnish-Swedish 1A icebreaker, which will be 203.25 m long and 28.25 m wide and have a maximum draught of 10.5 m. All in all, they will be the largest ships in the Spliethoff fleet, according to the announcement.
The L-type is designed with slim hull lines and is to be prepared for the use of future fuels. The bridge is located in the bow area and there are three cranes, each with a capacity of 150 tons.
CCO Michael van den Heuvel said: “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.”
