ElbFeeder, a joint venture between Iceland’s Eimskip and Germany’s Ernst Russ, has signed contracts for the construction of two 2,280 TEU container vessels that will feature a dual-fuel propulsion system described as LNG and methanol-ready.
The two 185-metre-long vessels will be built by China Merchants Jin Ling Shipyard (Nanjing), and are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2028.
The vessel’s hull will enhance hydrodynamic performance to enable higher service speeds while maintaining fuel efficiency, and will also be equipped with a shore power connection system and silicone coating, Eimskip and Ernst Russ indicated.
‘We are proud of the fact that the design of these vessels focuses on customer service, operational efficiency, and reliability,’ said Vilhelm Már Thorsteinsson, CEO of Eimskip. ‘The design also enables transition to alternative energy sources when they become accessible and reasonable option, supporting the Company’s environmental journey.’
The containerships will be operated on Eimskip’s ‘Blue Line’ route between Reykjavík, Rotterdam and Teesport, UK, for an initial 10-year period through a time-charter agreement that was signed together with the newbuilding contract.
Eimskip noted that the vessels will support growth in the transportation of fresh cargo, driven by increases in exports of fresh seafood and farmed salmon as well as imports of fresh products.
‘This investment will be a milestone for Ernst Russ, marking our first newbuild investment in decades,’ said Joseph Schuchmann, Co-CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of Ernst Russ.
The newbuilds will take ElbFeeder’s fleet to a total of nine vessels. Options for two additional vessels were also negotiated.
