Taiwan’s Franbo Lines is taking its multipurpose (MPP) newbuilding programme back to Japan, approving a $29m vessel that lifts its expansion slate to 12 ships, according to Splash247. The Taipei-listed owner cleared a 16,500 dwt Singapore-flagged newbuild through the newly established vessel-owning vehicle Franbo Jade. The yard is unidentified and no delivery date has been disclosed.
Japanese yard order
The deal marks Franbo’s return to Japanese shipbuilding after much of its recent fleet expansion shifted to China, Splash247 reported. The owner began its move into Chinese newbuildings in 2024, contracting Jiangsu Haitong Offshore Engineering Equipment for four 63,500 dwt ultramaxes. That came after Franbo had previously sourced much of its tonnage from Japanese yards. Since then, the company has continued to expand its newbuilding programme, with multipurpose tonnage becoming an increasingly large part of its fleet growth strategy.
MPP pipeline grows to 12 ships
Franbo already has 11 MPP newbuildings of around 17,400 dwt in its pipeline, with deliveries scheduled across 2027 and 2028 and long-term charter employment being lined up for the vessels, according to Splash247. The new Japanese order brings the total MPP expansion slate to 12 ships.
| Programme element | Details |
|---|---|
| Newly approved newbuild | 16,500 dwt, Singapore-flagged, unidentified Japanese yard, no delivery date |
| 11-vessel MPP pipeline | ~17,400 dwt each, deliveries 2027–2028, long-term charters being lined up |
| 2024 Chinese ultramax order | Four 63,500 dwt vessels at Jiangsu Haitong Offshore Engineering Equipment |
| Total MPP expansion slate | 12 ships |
What it means for shippers and forwarders
For freight forwarders, logistics managers and cargo owners moving breakbulk and project cargo, the reported expansion adds multipurpose tonnage to the order book with deliveries extending into 2028. Splash247 reported that long-term charter employment is being lined up for the 11-vessel pipeline. The programme’s build mix now spans Japanese and Chinese yards: the new 16,500 dwt unit will be a Japanese newbuild, while the four ultramaxes contracted in 2024 are being built at Jiangsu Haitong in China.
Key facts from the report:
- $29m approved for a 16,500 dwt Singapore-flagged MPP newbuild at an unidentified Japanese yard
- 11 MPP newbuildings of around 17,400 dwt each, deliveries across 2027 and 2028
- Four 63,500 dwt ultramaxes contracted at Jiangsu Haitong Offshore Engineering Equipment in 2024
- Total MPP expansion slate now stands at 12 ships
Watch list
- Delivery date for the newly approved 16,500 dwt Japanese newbuild, not yet disclosed
- Identity of the Japanese yard, still unidentified in the Splash247 report
- Charter commitments being lined up for the 11-vessel pipeline
- Continued expansion of the newbuilding programme, with multipurpose tonnage reported as an increasingly large part of Franbo’s fleet growth strategy
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