On August 19, Norwegian open hatch bulk shipping company Gearbulk announced on its website that it has signed a contract with Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), for the construction of two 82,300 dwt ammonia/methanol-ready open hatch bulk carriers.
The two bulk carriers will be delivered to Gearbulk in October 2028 and January 2029.
This signing of 2 new bulk carriers follows Gearbulk’s order earlier this year for 2+2 82,300 dwt ammonia/methanol ready open bulk carriers, also belonging to the Pulpmax series, from Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, which means that Huangpu Wenchong has undertaken a total of 6 units in this series.
The first 2+2 bulk carriers are ordered by G2 Ocean, a joint venture of Norwegian shipowners Grieg Maritime Group and Gearbulk, an open hatch bulk carrier shipping company. And the first 2 units expected to be delivered in the first half of 2027, with an as yet undisclosed order value.
“This order marks yet another milestone in Gearbulk’s drive to renew its fleet with efficient, high-capacity vessels servicing G2 Ocean customers,” says Kristian Jebsen.
Pulpmax series bulk carrier, is a new generation of multi-purpose pulp carrier and the largest tonnage multi-purpose vessel built in South China. It is 225 meters in length and 36 meters in breadth, and will be equipped with 8 sets of cargo cranes and 4 sets of electro-hydraulic jib cranes. Its Safe Working Load (SWL) lifting capacity is 2 x 75 metric tons and 2 x 120 metric tons respectively.
Dedicated deck space on both sides of the cabin has been incorporated into the ship’s design to allow for the future installation of alternative fuel storage tanks. The new shipbuilding has a high degree of cargo suitability and can carry timber, bulk cargo, bulk cargo and containers, as well as pulp.
This bulk carrier has excellent environmental performance, and is reserved for ammonia fuel, designed to meet the requirements of “Fuel ready (Ammonia [D, S, MEc,])” notation.The main and auxiliary engines are equipped with SCR system, meeting Tier III emission requirements; the EEDI meets Phase 3 requirements, which is 60% lower than the baseline.
Gearbulk is a world-leading player in the open hatch bulk shipping segment, controlling a combined fleet of about 65 open hatch and other specialised vessels. The fleet is commercially operated by G2 Ocean, where Gearbulk is the majority owner.
