Meriaura Signs Contract for 6,800-DWT Open Deck Carrier in China
Finnish shortsea shipping company Meriaura has taken another step in its fleet renewal programme by signing a contract to build a new open deck carrier in China, reinforcing its long-term focus on specialised shortsea operations.
The company confirmed that the 6,800 dwt vessel will be constructed at Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard and is scheduled for delivery in early 2028. The newbuild will measure 120 metres in length and will be built to 1A ice class with DP2 notation, supporting Meriaura’s strategy of maintaining year-round operability in northern and ice-prone waters.
The vessel’s design is based on Meriaura’s existing open deck carrier concept and has been developed in collaboration with Finnish naval architect Deltamarin, which will also be responsible for the basic design work for the shipyard. Propulsion will be provided by three medium-speed main engines, two of which will be manufactured in Finland, reflecting the company’s continued integration of Nordic marine technology.
In line with Meriaura’s sustainability objectives, the ship will be designed to accommodate future upgrades to low- and zero-carbon fuels, allowing flexibility as alternative marine energy solutions mature.
Meriaura currently operates a fleet of around 20 dry cargo and multipurpose vessels, many of them customised for project, heavy, and special cargo transport. Like the rest of the fleet, the new open deck carrier will be dedicated to shortsea shipping, with a strong emphasis on handling heavy and complex cargoes efficiently across regional trade routes.
The latest order underlines Meriaura’s commitment to modernising its fleet while maintaining operational resilience and environmental readiness in the evolving European shortsea shipping market.
