Hagland Shipping has taken a battery-hybrid mini-bulker on a multiyear charter from Germany's Reederei Gerdes and commercial platform over-C, adding a self-unloading workhorse to its shortsea bulk trades across Northern Europe, according to Splash247.
Splash247 reported that the 2026-built Forty-Two G is a 3,800 dwt Damen Combi Freighter 3850 constructed at Ba Son Shipyard in Vietnam. Financial terms and the precise charter period were not disclosed. The vessel combines battery-hybrid propulsion with shore-power connectivity, B100 biodiesel capability and two foldable Econowind VentoFoils. The batteries allow short periods of fully electric sailing, including port approaches and operations in populated areas.
Vessel specifications at a glance
The Forty-Two G is designed for flexible shortsea operation. Key specifications and fleet context from the Splash247 report:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel name | Forty-Two G |
| Type | 3,800 dwt Damen Combi Freighter 3850 |
| Built | 2026, Ba Son Shipyard, Vietnam |
| Propulsion | Battery-hybrid with shore-power connectivity |
| Fuel capability | B100 biodiesel |
| Wind assistance | Two foldable Econowind VentoFoils |
| Cargo gear | Excavator fitted by Hagland, self-unloader |
| Added to | Fourth externally owned vessel in Hagland's long-term chartered fleet |
| Hagland owned fleet | Nine self-discharging general cargo ships, 3,700–5,000 dwt |
| Newbuild series | Four ~4,900 dwt methanol-convertible vessels at Royal Bodewes, >NOK800m investment |
Charter and fleet expansion
The deal adds a fourth externally owned vessel to Hagland's long-term chartered fleet, according to Splash247. The Haugesund-based company also owns nine self-discharging general cargo ships ranging from 3,700 dwt to 5,000 dwt, giving the operator a substantial owned base alongside its expanding chartered tonnage.
Hagland will fit the Forty-Two G with an excavator, allowing the ship to work as a self-unloader in the company's timber, aggregates and other shortsea bulk trades across Northern Europe. This gives Hagland the ability to handle cargo without relying on shore-based unloading equipment, a capability that can reduce port turnaround times on routes where specialised discharge gear is scarce. Shipbroker IntelliMar arranged the charter.
Newbuilding programme at Royal Bodewes
Splash247 also reported that Hagland is separately working through a four-ship newbuilding programme at Royal Bodewes. The approximately 4,900 dwt methanol-convertible series represents an investment of more than NOK800m, with the three remaining vessels scheduled to enter service through the first half of 2027. That pipeline will further expand Hagland's fleet with methanol-ready tonnage, giving the operator additional fuel-flexibility optionality in the medium term.
Implications for shippers and operators
For freight forwarders and cargo owners moving timber, aggregates and bulk commodities in Northern Europe, the addition of the Forty-Two G to Hagland's charter fleet increases available self-discharging capacity on a multiyear basis, which can support schedule reliability for shortsea shipments. The vessel's battery-hybrid and shore-power features also mean it can operate with reduced emissions in populated port areas, which may ease compliance with local environmental restrictions on certain Northern European routes. Because the precise charter period was not disclosed, forwarders should treat the capacity as committed to Hagland's network but not tied to a publicly known expiry.
Watch list
- The three remaining Royal Bodewes methanol-convertible newbuilds, due into service through the first half of 2027, which will add about 4,900 dwt each to Hagland's fleet.
- Whether Hagland exercises further charter opportunities or extends the Gerdes charter when the undisclosed period ends.
- The performance of the Econowind VentoFoils and battery-hybrid system on the Forty-Two G, as Hagland considers deploying similar equipment across its fleet.
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