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Carisbrooke Shipping has taken delivery of its 100th newbuilding vessel, the multipurpose dry cargo ship Greta C, from Royal T Shipyards in Kampen, the Netherlands, marking the debut of an upgraded LABRAX 7680 series designed for lower emissions and greater cargo flexibility in European short sea trades.
The handover, announced on 21 April 2026 from Harlingen, pairs two milestones: a century of newbuilds for the UK based operator and the first sailing of a vessel class that adds 400 tonnes of deadweight capacity over its predecessor while introducing diesel-electric propulsion to the platform.
Bigger hull, cleaner drive
The Greta C measures 118.60 metres in length and 14.30 metres in beam, with a deadweight of 7,680 tonnes. Two full box cargo holds provide a combined capacity of 329,700 cubic feet, suited to a wide range of dry cargoes including breakbulk, steel, forest products and grain parcels.
Her propulsion marks the most significant change from earlier LABRAX hulls. The vessel is fitted with a diesel electric system paired with an advanced power management setup. According to Royal T Shipyards, this configuration cuts fuel consumption and emissions compared with conventional tonnage in the same segment. The yard positioned the design as a contribution to the broader decarbonisation of short sea shipping, though it did not disclose specific percentage reductions.
The upgraded series builds on the 7,280 dwt LABRAX vessels previously delivered to Vertom Group, which established the platform’s reputation for reliability in North European and Atlantic trades. By stretching deadweight without altering the hull’s core proportions significantly, the designers aimed to give operators more earning capacity per voyage without sacrificing port access or manoeuvrability.
A fleet milestone for Carisbrooke
For Carisbrooke Shipping, the Greta C caps a fleet renewal programme that has spanned decades. The company, which operates from offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and in Rotterdam, manages more than 20 modern dry cargo and multipurpose vessels. It handles technical management, crewing, safety oversight and finance in house, a model it credits for consistently strong safety and fuel efficiency records.
Reaching 100 newbuilds underscores the operator’s preference for purpose built tonnage over secondhand acquisitions, a strategy that gives it tighter control over vessel specifications, environmental compliance and long term operating costs.
Thecla Bodewes, chief executive of Royal T Shipyards, described the delivery as an evolution of a long-running partnership with Carisbrooke. The upgraded LABRAX, she said, reflects a shared goal of building ships that are efficient, reliable and prepared for tightening regulatory demands.
Dutch supply chain on display
Royal T Shipyards, a seventh generation family owned builder with more than 300 years of heritage, constructed the Greta C in cooperation with a network of specialist Dutch subcontractors. The yard received its Royal designation in 2025, a recognition typically granted by the Dutch crown to companies demonstrating sustained excellence and national significance.
The project highlights the continued competitiveness of the Netherlands’ small and medium-sized shipbuilding sector, which has carved out a global niche in the design and construction of short sea and multipurpose tonnage. At a time when many European yards focus on repairs and conversions, Dutch builders including Royal T Shipyards continue to deliver newbuild programmes that attract repeat orders from international owners.
Before handover, the Greta C completed an extensive sea trial programme in the North Sea, validating her systems and handling under realistic operating conditions. The yard reported that the vessel exceeded performance expectations during those trials.
While optimised for European short sea routes, the Greta C is also capable of longer international voyages, giving Carisbrooke Shipping added commercial flexibility as trade patterns shift and charterers seek vessels that can serve multiple route profiles without compromising environmental standards.
Further LABRAX 7680 deliveries are expected as the series progresses, though neither party disclosed the number of additional hulls on order.
