Carisbrooke seals $27m newbuild financing

UK owner Carisbrooke Shipping has secured financing for its newbuilding programme in the Netherlands.

Germany’s KfW IPEX-Bank is backing the construction of two 7,700 dwt general cargo vessels at Thecla Bodewes Shipyards with around €26m ($27.3m).

The ships in the so-called Labrax series have modern diesel-electric propulsion, with an option for future conversion of the engines to CO2-neutral fuels.

The newbuilds will be deployed on European short-sea trades once delivered in 2026.

Carisbrooke owns and operates a fleet of around 20 dry cargo and multipurpose vessels. The family-owned shipping company ordered one Labrax 7,280 dwt newbuild at Thecla Bodewes yard in September 2023.

Earlier this month, the German lender also emerged as the backer of fellow liner Hapag-Lloyd’s three 9,200 teu newbuildings worth around $281m.