Danish investment company J. Lauritzen has signed a letter of intent to build at least two methanol dual-fuel 81,200 deadweight Kamsarmax bulk carriers in Japan, by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, with delivery in 2024-25.
The Kamsarmaxes are ordered in a partnership with Cargill, who will be operating the vessels for a minimum period of seven years.
The vessels will be powered by green methanol and bio diesel and will be fully owned by a newly established entity named “Lauritzen NexGen Shipping” which J. Lauritzen and Lauritzen Bulkers will use as a platform for further investments in zero carbon emission and future proof assets for the shipping industry.
“We are very happy with this transaction, as it is important for J. Lauritzen and Lauritzen Bulkers to participate actively in the decarbonization of the shipping industry, and we are proud to be able to do so in a visionary partnership with Cargill, who are sharing our ambition to truly drive change in our industry”, says Kristian Morch, CEO of J. Lauritzen.
“It is great to see reputable companies like J. Lauritzen joining the decarbonization journey with such a bold step”, says Jan Dieleman, Cargill’s president of Ocean Transportation. He added that “we look forward to partnering with them to help move the industry forward in the zero-carbon fuel space”.
The partnership is facilitated by Copenhagen Commercial Platform, who will also be involved in operating and further developing the partnership.
J. Lauritzen is wholly owned by Lauritzen Fonden, a commercial foundation supporting non-profit activities, in particular aimed at vulnerable children and young people. Today the company acts as a value creating owner of Lauritzen Fonden’s portfolio of maritime and maritime related investments, apart from the Foundation’s controlling interest in DFDS.
