In a bid to modernise its fleet, Finnish shipping firm Meriaura is planning on adding four new vessels to its fleet across 2026.
Initially for Meriaura will be a company-first 6,735 dwt Eco Trader vessel, which is currently under construction and expected to be launched and named on November 14, with operations set to begin during January 2026. The company’s second newbuilding is scheduled for the new year, with two Groot 5200 XL-type vessels then expected to arrive during the winter/early spring of 2026.
Meriaura claims that these replacement vessels will significantly reduce the average age of its fleet and will be supported by further fleet renewal initiatives. The company currently operates some vessels that are more than 25 years old.
With these changes, Meriaura expects to expand the capacity of its fleet by approximately 7,000 deadweight cargo capacity – around one-and-a-half times the size of its current average vessels. Moreover, the improved fuel efficiency of the new vessels surpasses that of the old tonnage, with the firm aiming to achieve net zero emissions by the end of the next decade.
In September 2025, HLPFI reported that Meriaura had signed an agreement to time-charter two dry cargo vessels from Klip Marine.
