Finnish ship design company, Deltamarin has signed a design and engineering contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) for six new ropaxes ordered by the Grimaldi Group.
This agreement includes basic and detail design for the ‘Next Generation Med’ class vessels, which will be deployed across key Mediterranean routes under the Grimaldi Lines’ and Minoan Lines’ brands.
Of the six vessels, four will sail under the Italian flag and be operated by Grimaldi Lines, while two will be registered under the Greek flag and operated by Grimaldi’s subsidiary, Minoan Lines.
Each of the 229 m vessels will feature 3,300 lane meters for rolling freight, space for over 300 passenger vehicles, and capacity for up to 2,500 pax. Accommodation includes more than 300 cabins for over 1,200 persons.
The vessels will be powered by engines capable of running on methanol—making them the first ships in the Mediterranean designed specifically for this alternative fuel.
Additional green technologies will include shore power readiness, silicon-based hull coatings, optimised hull and propeller designs, and advanced on board power management systems.
These features will collectively reduce CO₂ emissions per cargo unit by more than 50% compared to current vessels operating on similar routes, Deltamarin said.
The design work will begin at Deltamarin immediately with vessel deliveries scheduled for between 2028 and 2030.
