Norwegian shipowner Aasen Shipping has placed an additional order for one self-unloading bulk carrier with a Dutch shipyard it has long collaborated with.
On November 7, Dutch shipbuilder Royal Bodewes signed a contract with Aasen Shipping for the construction of one 9,400 DWT hybrid/methanol-ready self-unloading bulk carrier. This brings the total number of vessels of the same type under their cooperative agreement to six. The sixth vessel is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2027.
It is understood that Royal Bodewes and Aasen Shipping began their collaboration on the 9,400 DWT hybrid self-unloading bulk carrier series in 2020, when two newbuildings were initially contracted. In November 2023, the two parties renewed their partnership to construct three additional 9,400 DWT hybrid self-unloading bulk carriers, with deliveries scheduled to commence in December 2025.
Notably, the subsequent four vessels will feature partial upgrades over the earlier ship design. Measuring 119.95 meters in length and 15.85 meters in width, they are capable of utilizing methanol/ethanol as marine fuel. Once green methanol supply becomes readily available, these vessels can be easily retrofitted for methanol fuel operation, enabling them to achieve zero emissions during both port operations and sea voyages.
The above newbuild is the third vessel announced by Royal Bodewes this year, alongside a 6,340 DWT multi-purpose vessel and an 8,500 DWT methanol-ready/wind-assisted multi-purpose vessel.
According to its official website, Aasen Shipping is headquartered in Mørkhamn and was founded in 1981. As a family-owned enterprise, it owns and operates approximately 10 self-unloading bulk carriers with deadweight capacities ranging from 6,000 to 9,500 tons.