CLdN seals order for 10 new fuel-efficient container carriers in a ‘decisive step’ to expand into LoLo segment

Luxembourg-based shipping group CLdN has firmed up an order for ten newbuild fuel-efficient load-on / load-off (LoLo) container vessels as part of its expansion in the LoLo segment within its container carrier fleet.

The new ships will be built by HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan, South Korea, and have a cargo capacity of 1,100 TEU. The delivery is set to begin in January 2027, completing CLdN’s fleet of more than thirty roll-on / roll-off (RoRo) vessels.

According to the company, the newbuilds will have ‘outstanding fuel efficiency’ and an innovative open-top design to allow reduced port handling times.

As explained, the new order is a ‘decisive step‘ to underpin CLdN’s branching out into the LoLo offering which the company introduced earlier this year on its Ireland service using chartered vessels operating from its recently acquired Distriport terminal in Rotterdam.

“The expansion into the LoLo segment is highly complementary to CLdN’s short-sea RoRo services and provides excellent operational flexibility, quick turnaround times in port and optimal sailing frequency for customers. This short lead time and high frequency product is unique in the current short sea container market, which is currently dominated by deep sea feeder carriers offering longer lead times and less frequent services,” CLdN said.

Florent Maes, CEO of CLdN, commented on the order: “This order is an important step towards realising our longer-term growth ambitions and cementing CLdN’s position as a leader in the unaccompanied short-sea freight market in Europe. Our recent entry into the LoLo segment, facilitated by the acquisition of the Distriport terminal in Rotterdam earlier in the year, has been very well received by customers and is proving highly complementary to our RoRo services.”  

The shipowner is also anticipating the delivery of two 8,000-lane meter G9e RoRo vessels in the first half of 2025 from HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard.