Germany’s HS Shipping Group (HS Schiffahrt) has teamed up with shipping financier Mare Trust for a major push into the multipurpose heavylift segment, securing newbuildings at Jiangsu Soho Marine Heavy Industry in China.
The partners confirmed firm orders for four 12,500 dwt vessels, with deliveries scheduled between August 2027 and February 2029. Options have been taken for six more ships in a two+two+two package, potentially lifting the programme to ten units.
If exercised in full, the series would carry a price tag in the mid three-digit million dollar range, with current estimates of newbuilding prices for similar MPPs at about $30m apiece. Mare Trust is contributing up to €100m ($117.5m) in equity to the project. The Oldenburg-based investor already has positions in 65 ships, mostly smaller container, dry cargo and MPP tonnage.
The move marks a significant expansion for HS Schiffahrt in the MPP segment, where the Haren owner currently runs five units between 8,200 and 13,500 dwt, and manages around 30 ships across feeder and dry bulk segments.
The new series comes amid renewed appetite for fresh MPP tonnage. Other European owners have also moved recently. Carsten Rehder Schiffsmakler und Reederei has contracted four 7,500 dwt MPPs at India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders with options for two more, while UK interests are said to have booked up to four 12,600 dwt units at Rizhao Kingda Shipbuilding in China for 2027 delivery.
