Wagenborg fleet expands with new ice-class vessels according GROOT XL Design

We are proud to see the GROOT XL family continue to grow, with up to ten new vessels joining the fleet of Royal Wagenborg through a strategic partnership with Carisbrooke Shipping.

The new vessels are approx. 7,000 DWT multipurpose general cargo vessels below 5,000 GT, designed to Ice Class 1A standards. Based on a design by Groot Ship Design, the vessels are developed to combine flexibility, reliability and efficient performance in demanding operating conditions.

With their ice-class capability, the newbuildings are particularly well suited for operations in the Baltic region, supporting the transport of a wide range of cargoes across Northern Europe.

The vessels will gradually replace older tonnage, contributing to a younger, more efficient and future-ready fleet. The first eight vessels are scheduled for delivery between the third quarter of 2027 and early 2029, with two additional vessels included as options.

For Groot Ship Design, this latest project is another great milestone for the GROOT XL series. With different variants ranging from the 5200XL and 5900XL to the 6600XL and 7300XL, the family continues to demonstrate its versatility and adaptability to the evolving needs of the maritime industry.

We are delighted to see the GROOT XL concept continue to contribute to the expansion and modernisation of the Wagenborg fleet and we look forward to seeing these new vessels take shape.

Read the full announcement by Royal Wagenborg.