Finnish shortsea specialist Meriaura has moved ahead with its fleet renewal, signing a shipbuilding contract for a new open deck carrier at Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard in China.
The 6,800 dwt vessel is due for delivery in early 2028 and will measure 120 m in length and be built to 1A ice class and DP2 notation, keeping with Meriaura’s focus on year-round operations in northern waters.
The design builds on Meriaura’s earlier open deck carriers and has been developed together with Finnish naval architect Deltamarin, which will also handle the basic design work for the yard. The ship will be fitted with three medium-speed main engines, two of them built in Finland, and designed to allow future upgrades to low- and zero-carbon fuels, the company said.
Meriaura currently counts around 20 dry cargo and multipurpose vessels, many of them tailored for project and special cargo trades. Like the rest of the fleet, the newbuilding is aimed at shortsea shipping, with a clear focus on heavy and complex cargoes.
The vessel will feature a large, open deck, and a layout suited for demanding roro operations, the company explained, adding that the vessel’s shallow-draft capability and strong manoeuvrability are intended to give access to ports and locations with limited infrastructure or tight operating conditions.
On the environmental side, the ship will be prepared for multi-fuel operations, including the use of Meriaura’s own biofuel as part of the fuel mix. Battery readiness has also been built into the design, alongside an optimised hull and efficient machinery to cut fuel consumption.
Meriaura said the order strengthens its position in core project cargo segments while opening up new opportunities in regional shortsea trades. Management also pointed to the value of adding an ice-classed, Finland-flagged open deck carrier to support both commercial demand and security of supply in the region.
