{"id":133883,"date":"2026-03-24T14:37:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T17:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shipping.einnews.com\/article\/901486541"},"modified":"2026-03-24T14:37:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T17:37:00","slug":"contract-signed-with-chinese-shipyard-to-deliver-a200m-freight-flex-vessels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/24\/contract-signed-with-chinese-shipyard-to-deliver-a200m-freight-flex-vessels\/","title":{"rendered":"Contract signed with Chinese shipyard to deliver \u00c2\u00a3200m freight flex vessels"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"A\"A
A visualisation of what the new freight-flex vessels will look like. Image: LMG Marin\/Guangzhou Shipyard International Co.\/CMAL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The contract has been signed for the delivery of two new \u201cworld class\u201d freight-flex vessels at an estimated cost of \u00a3200 million.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has today (Tuesday) awarded the contract to Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), following a 10-day standstill period.<\/p>\n

The freight-flex vessels will replace the aged Helliar <\/em>and Hildasay <\/em>on the NorthLink service.<\/p>\n

They will provide greater freight capacity, faster speeds and the ability for 200 passengers on each ship to travel in peak times and dry dock periods.<\/p>\n

The tender process assessed shipyards interested in bidding for the contract against specific criteria, including facilities, capacities and capabilities to take on the project.<\/p>\n

The vessels are currently expected to be delivered by 2029, and the estimated cost is around \u00a3200 million, covering both vessels.<\/p>\n

Guangzhou Shipyard International President William Zhou said: \u201cWe are truly privileged to partner with CMAL and Transport Scotland on this prestigious project.<\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

\u201cWe fully recognise the strategic importance of these new freight-flex vessels in delivering reliable, efficient, and sustainable ferry services to Scotland\u2019s island communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith nearly three decades of specialised expertise in the ropax sector, GSI stands as a globally preeminent shipbuilder, renowned for our commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeveraging our extensive experience, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of design, engineering, and delivery – providing vessels that are not only reliable and efficient but also environmentally responsible, and built to the highest quality standards.<\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/p>\n

\u201cWe look forward to contributing to Scotland\u2019s maritime infrastructure and supporting the continued prosperity of its communities through world-class, sustainable transport solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said she was pleased the contract had been signed and construction would soon begin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe heard clearly from islanders and stakeholders the need for improved freight and cabin capacity on these ferry services.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe freight-flex vessels will bring additional freight capacity, higher operating speeds and the flexibility to carry up to 200 passengers on each ship at peak times \u2013 enhancing the resilience and reliability of the Northern Isles ferry services for years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank all parties involved in reaching this key milestone, particularly CMAL and NorthLink, and look forward to following the progress of this important vessel replacement project.\u201d<\/p>\n

CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs said the contract marked a \u201csignificant milestone\u201d in delivering the replacement vessels.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese vessels will provide a vital boost to freight capacity and provide a more resilient service for passengers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe look forward to working with Guangzhou Shipyard International as detailed design followed by construction is progressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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… ), following a 10-day standstill period. The freight<\/span>-flex vessels will replace the aged … , GSI stands as a globally preeminent shipbuilder<\/span>, renowned for our commitment to … -flex vessels will bring additional freight<\/span> capacity, higher operating speeds and the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-133883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133883"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133883\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=133883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=133883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}