Finnish shipping company Meriaura has commissioned two biofuel-powered cargo ships, dubbed Ecotraders, from the Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes. Slated for delivery in January and December of 2026, these 6,750 dwt vessels are 105 meters long and boast a 1A ice-class rating, designed to achieve minimal emission levels.
These ships, akin to the EcoCoaster vessels Eeva VG and Mirva VG delivered in 2016, will operate on biofuel produced from recycled raw material by Meriaura’s subsidiary, VG-Ecofuel. The Ecotraders are about 30% larger than the EcoCoasters, a change driven by market and customer demands. This increase in size not only enhances economic efficiency but also reduces the environmental impact of their operations.
Beppe Rosin, CEO of Meriaura, stated, “This order continues our commitment to energy-efficient shipping that utilizes bio-oil. Given the current geopolitical climate, we opted for a reputable European shipyard. Building in Europe aligns with our ESG strategy, and factors such as delivery security, quality, compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and our positive experiences with previous builds were crucial in our decision to partner with Royal Bodewes again.”
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target for carbon-neutral shipping by 2050. However, Meriaura aims to achieve this milestone in the 2030s. “The two new ships mark the beginning of our newbuilding program, which targets carbon neutrality well ahead of the IMO’s timeline,” explained Jussi Mälkiä, founder and chairman of Meriaura. “By systematically renewing our fleet and using bio-oil alongside compensation methods, we aim to meet our ambitious goals.”
The investment for this initiative has been secured through Finnish financial institutions Oma Säästöpankki Turku, LähiTapiola Keskinäinen Vakuutusyhtiö, and Climate Fund. “We are thankful for the support from Finnish financiers as we navigate towards carbon-neutral shipping,” Rosin added.
