Denmark’s Norden, a shipping company known for its ocean-based freight services for bulk and project cargo of all sizes, signed a contract of affreightment (COA) of up to 10 years with LKAB and at the same time ordered two ice-class multipurpose vessels, expanding its position in specialised segments.
The long-term COA with Swedish mining company LKAB has a duration of up to 10 years and covers the transport of bentonite from Greece to northern Sweden.
To support this contract, NORDEN has ordered two 23,000 dwt ice-class multipurpose vessels from Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in China, with delivery expected in 2028.
Each vessel will have a capacity of 23,000 deadweight tonnes and will be equipped with two 80-tonne cranes.
Built to Finnish-Swedish Ice Class 1A standards, the two vessels are designed for flexible and fuel-efficient operations across a wide range of cargo types.
The vessels will also be able to operate on biofuel.
LKAB is an international mining and minerals group and Europe’s large iron ore producer, focused on developing more sustainable products for the steel industry.
“This transaction supports our strategy of growing long-term business with more stable earnings characteristics. At the same time, the addition of two ice-class vessels expands the solutions we can offer customers with transport needs in northern and ice-prone waters,” says CEO Jan Rindbo.
