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CLdN moves into container segment with ten-ship order

[ September 27, 2024   //   ]

Shortsea operator CLdN has confirmed an order for ten 1,100TEU new lo lo container vessels, due to be delivered from January 2027.

The carrier, which currently operates mainly ro ro tonnage, said the order was a decisive step to enter the segment with its own container vessel fleet.

ClDN promises “outstanding fuel efficiency” and an innovative open-top design to reduce port handling times.

Earlier this year, CLdN introduced a lo lo alternative on its Ireland service using chartered vessels operating from its recently acquired Distriport terminal in Rotterdam. This service recently expanded with the addition of a third weekly direct sailing.

CLdN says that expansion into the lo lo segment is highly complementary to its short-sea ro ro services and will provide operational flexibility, quick turnaround times in port and optimal sailing frequency with a short lead time and high frequency service that it says is unique in the current shortsea container market, which is currently dominated by deep sea feeder carriers with longer lead times and less frequent services.

The new vessels will be purposely built by HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan, South Korea which is currently completing two 8,000 lane meter G9e RoRo vessels scheduled for delivery to CLdN in the first half of 2025.

CLdN chief executive, Florent Maes, said: “This order is an important step towards realising our longer-term growth ambitions and cementing CLdN’s position as a leader in the unaccompanied short-sea freight market in Europe. Our recent entry into the lo lo segment, facilitated by the acquisition of the Distriport terminal in Rotterdam earlier in the year, has been very well received by customers and is proving highly complementary to our ro ro services.”

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