“This is a milestone in Longship’s 11 years’ history. As industrial carrier we further implement our vision of a homogeneous modern fleet… We are continuously looking into expansion possibilities and new technologies to ensure sustainable growth that will keep our fleet up to date and future proof,” stated Øyvind Sivertsen, Managing Partner and CEO of Longship.

The first of the Bijlsma Trader 6000 ships will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2021, followed by the second in the first quarter of 2022.

The €21 million (approximately $25 million) deal is a joint venture between Longship and the VMS Shipping Group, with both companies owning an equal stake. Longship will be in charge of commercial management, while VMS will be in charge of technical management.

The Bijlsma Trader 6000 is 103.48 meters long and has a hold capacity of nearly 270,000 cubic feet. According to the company, it is suitable for heavy cargo and has tween decks.

The newbuilds are equipped with i.a. a low-power 1,600 kW main engine that drives a nozzled adjustable pitch propeller, shore attachment, heat recovery, and ECO performance monitoring software, among other features. These systems, as well as the vessel's construction, lead to a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 20% reduction in fuel consumption as compared to equivalent tonnages.

Maritime Business World