Finnish paper maker orders 7 LNG vessels

Finnish pulp and paper maker UPM has struck a deal to charter seven LNG-fuelled vessels to transport its products to market.

The company said on August 26 it had signed the agreement with the Netherlands’ Spliethoff Group. Spliethoff’s Bore subsidiary will supply three roll-on lift-off vessels for carrying UPM’s paper products, while its Wijnne Barends unit will provide four lift-on, lift-off vessels for transporting its pulp and other forest products.

The vessels will be built in China, with delivery scheduled for 2021-2022.

“This arrangement is a consistent step in UPM’s logistics strategy. It will safeguard a sustainable, competitive and reliable shipping solution for our businesses and customers on long term,” Lauri Rikala, director of global break bulk shipping at UPM logistics, said in a statement.

Bore has already ordered its three vessels at the Wuhu shipyard in China, the Finland-based subsidiary confirmed in its own release. The vessels measure 120 metres in length and 21 metres in width, with a deadweight tonnage of 7,000. They have a speed of around 15 knots.