Hot on the heels of its takeover of compatriot ForestWave， Dutch shipowner Spliethoff is further expanding its fleet with a series of multipurpose newbuilds in China.

The Amsterdam-based company has commissioned Wuhu Shipyard to build eight units of the so-called L-type and secured options for two more.

The 28，600 dwt ships will start delivering in the first quarter of 2028 and become the largest vessels in Spliethoff’s fleet.

The 203.25-m-long 1A ice-classed vessels are designed to transport various dry cargo types， including paper products， bulk cargo， project cargo and containers. They will feature slender hull lines and will be prepared for the use of future fuels， the company said.

“We are convinced that we will have secured excellent service to our clients for the future and look forward to welcoming these energy-efficient vessels into our fleet，” said the company’s chief of operations， Michael van den Heuvel， adding， “We believe that the L-type will play an important role in the sustainable future of our company.”