VESSEL REVIEW | Longpearl, Longpride & Longpeace – Ice-class cargo vessels for Netherlands’ Longship Group
Netherlands-based shortsea shipping company the Longship Group has taken delivery of the first three general cargo ships in a series. Longpearl was handed over on March 6, 2026, Longpride on June 16, and Longpeace on September 1.
The Netherlands-flagged vessels were built at Waterhuizen through a collaboration between GS Projects and Ship and Steelbuilding.
Longship said the vessels were "specifically designed to meet [the company’s] requirements for custom shipping solutions."
Longship ordered four vessels in September 2024 with options for four more. It has since confirmed all four options, taking the series to eight ships. The fourth unit, Longpower, was floated out in September.
Optimised for grain and containerised cargo
The company has described its business as industrial shipping, with European shortsea cargo flows as its principal market. Its fleet trades in the Baltic and North seas, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea.
The three ships each have an LOA of 103.08 metres (338.19 feet), a length between perpendiculars of 100.68 metres (330.31 feet), a beam of 15.45 metres (50.69 feet), and a depth of 7.40 metres (24 feet). Longship lists each vessel with a deadweight of 6,420 at a draught of 6.27 metres (20.6 feet).
Gross tonnage is 4,630 and net tonnage is 2,389. The series was specified for Lloyd's Register classification and Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A.
Cargo on each ship is carried in a single box-shaped hold measuring 74.2 by 12.85 by 10 metres (243 by 42.16 by 30 feet). The hatch opening measures 74.5 by 13.4 metres (244 by 44 feet) and is closed by pontoon hatch covers.
The ships are gearless and have a grain capacity of 335,030 cubic feet (9,847 cubic metres) and a container capacity of 300 TEUs.
Fitted with efficiency-enhancing control surfaces
Propulsion for each ship is provided by a MAN 6L27/38 main engine with a rated output of 2,100 kW (2,800 hp) delivering a service speed of 12 knots. A 265kW bow thruster is also fitted to provide additional lateral manoeuvrability.
A propulsion package comprises piston RAM-type hydraulic steering systems, flap rudders, and thruster nozzles. The progressive flap action of the rudder improves manoeuvrability and course stability and supports lower fuel consumption and maintenance costs, while the nozzle improves fuel consumption in shortsea operation.
After delivery, Longpeace sailed from Delfzijl to Drammen to load biomass for Fredericia, arriving at the Norwegian port on September 3. The ship has since entered service on Longship's Baltic routes.