CLdN has placed an order for two new 6,700 lane-metre RoRo vessels with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, further expanding its shortsea shipping fleet. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2028, with delivery expected in mid-2029. The ships will be the 15th and 16th vessels ordered by CLdN from the South Korean shipbuilder over the past decade. Higher cargo capacity The new vessels will feature an additional deck and more ground space compared with CLdN’s existing 5,000 lane-metre class ships. Their configuration will be specifically adapted for trailer cargo. CLdN said the additional capacity will complement its existing fleet of RoRo and container vessels and its European port and door-to-door logistics network. The vessels will also feature wide ramps providing immediate access to the upper decks. This is designed to accelerate loading and unloading and improve port turnaround times. Dual-fuel design targets greater efficiency Both ships will be dual-fuel capable, allowing them to operate on conventional marine diesel or LNG. Space will also be reserved for larger electric shaft generators and batteries, allowing the vessels to incorporate these technologies in the future. CLdN expects fuel consumption per vessel to be similar to its existing 5,000 lane-metre ships. However, the higher cargo capacity is expected to improve fuel efficiency per tonne-kilometre by between 30% and 40%. “We are delighted to extend our partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of these two new vessels. The ships will expand the capacity of our existing fleet and will give us even greater flexibility to meet customer needs,” said Florent Maes, CEO of CLdN. Maes added that the vessels’ improved fuel efficiency would further support CLdN’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its RoRo operations. CLdN currently operates 30 ships and more than 200 sailings per week, providing shortsea RoRo connections between continental Europe, the United