Gearbulk orders 2 more ammonia/methanol-ready open hatch ships

Switzerland-based shipping company Gearbulk has ordered two additional ammonia/methanol conversion ready 82,300 dwt open hatch newbuildings in China.

As informed, the units will be sister vessels to four Pulpmax open hatch vessels ordered earlier this year, and will be built at the same shipyard, CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Longxue in Guangzhou, China.

The vessels, expected to be delivered to their owner in October 2028 and January 2029, will operate in G2 Ocean’s pool.

The technical specifications and capacity, including enhanced cargo crane capacity of 2×75 metric tons and 2x 120 and tween decks, will be the same as no. 1-4, according to Gearbulk.

“This order marks yet another milestone in Gearbulk’s drive to renew its fleet with efficient, high-capacity vessels servicing G2 Ocean customers,” Kristian Jebsen, Chairman and CEO of Gearbulk, commented.

In addition to these new vessels ordered by Gearbulk, G2 Ocean previously said that Grieg Maritime Group, shareholder and pool partner, will be providing four ammonia-ready vessels to its fleet in 2026.

This will bring the total number of dual-fuel 82,300 dwt open hatch vessels to ten.

“The design of these vessels strengthens our service offering and will help us to meet evolving customer requirements. We very much appreciate the support of Gearbulk and Grieg Maritime Group on these newbuilds,” Arthur English, CEO of G2 Ocean, noted.

“With the ten Pulpmax vessels ordered we can take important steps on our decarbonisation journey, on our target of becoming net-zero by 2050.”

In related news, Japanese company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) recently became the majority shareholder in Gearbulk, now owning a 72% stake in the company. Kristian Jebsen and his family retained a 28% shareholding in Gearbulk.

Gearbulk and the Grieg Maritime Group continue to own 65% and 35% of G2 Ocean, respectively.