G2 Ocean is moving forward with a major fleet renewal programme after confirming the addition of six new open hatch vessels that will strengthen its position in the specialised cargo shipping market.
The Bergen-based company, a joint venture between Gearbulk and Grieg Maritime Group, said the newbuildings will enter its pool fleet from 2029, expanding operational flexibility across multiple cargo segments.
The vessels, each with a deadweight capacity of 65,400 dwt, will be built at New Dayang Shipbuilding in Yangzhou, China. Under the agreement, two ships will be owned directly by Grieg Maritime Group, while the remaining four will belong to Seaspan and be bareboat chartered to Gearbulk before joining the G2 Ocean pool.
Designed specifically for the open hatch sector, each vessel will feature eight open cargo holds without overhangs, offering around 79,400 cubic metres of cargo volume. The ships will also be equipped with two gantry cranes and tween decks, while being prepared for future adaptation to alternative fuels such as ammonia or methanol.
The latest order complements G2 Ocean’s wider fleet renewal strategy, which already includes 10 larger 82,300 dwt vessels scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2029. The first ship from that programme, Star Norge, entered service earlier this year.
Chief executive Arthur English said the investments are intended to strengthen the company’s long-term service capabilities while adapting to evolving customer expectations across global cargo markets.
According to him, the combination of investments in both newbuildings and the existing fleet is aimed at offering cargo owners safer, more flexible, reliable and increasingly sustainable transport solutions.
The six vessel programme also helps fill a capacity gap between G2 Ocean’s larger 72,000 dwt gantry crane vessels and its smaller geared ships ranging from 36,000 dwt to 55,000 dwt.
English added that maintaining a diverse geared fleet remains essential for a global operator serving different cargo profiles and trade requirements.
Alongside fleet expansion, G2 Ocean is also investing in emissions-reduction technologies for its current vessels. The company confirmed that the Star Kirkenes, a 49,924 dwt general cargo ship, is expected to be fitted with AirWing 20 jet sails in late 2026 or early 2027.
The wind-assisted propulsion system is designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by harnessing wind energy without impacting cargo capacity or loading operations. If the technology performs as expected, it could later be deployed more widely across the fleet.
Founded in 2017, G2 Ocean currently operates around 125 open hatch and bulk vessels ranging from 23,500 dwt to 73,000 dwt, making it the largest operator globally in the open hatch shipping segment.
Gearbulk chairman and G2 Ocean chairman Kristian Jebsen said the programme would further strengthen the company’s competitive position while helping meet customers’ future transport demands.
Grieg Maritime Group chief executive Matthew Duke also reaffirmed that open hatch shipping remains a core part of the group’s long-term strategy, adding that the new vessels will help ensure G2 Ocean remains a flexible and efficient operator for years to come.
