Published on
September 7, 2025
Big news for shipping in the North Atlantic! Germany’s Ernst Russ AG, a name many in the industry look up to, just placed its first new orders for brand-new ships in thirty years. They are teaming up with Eimskip, the Icelandic shipping company known for its fresh-food expertise, to build two shiny, high-tech feeder containerships. To make the trade lane between Iceland and Europe even faster and more reliable, especially for transporting the island’s famous fresh seafood and premium salmon.
Strategic Collaboration and Financial Structure
The project is facilitated through ElbFeeder, a joint venture majority-owned by Ernst Russ. ElbFeeder has signed contracts with China Merchants Jin Ling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co. Ltd. for the construction of the two vessels. Eimskip has committed to a 10-year time-charter agreement, providing a stable financial foundation for the venture. Joseph Schuchmann, Co-CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of Ernst Russ, described the investment as a milestone, marking the company’s first newbuild investment in decades. He expressed enthusiasm about implementing the project in partnership with Eimskip, a long-standing collaborator.
Vessel Specifications and Operational Plans
Scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2028, the new vessels will each measure 185 meters (607 feet) in length and have a capacity of 2,280 TEU. These will be the largest vessels in Eimskip’s fleet and will operate on the company’s Blue Line, connecting Reykjavik with Rotterdam and Teesport in the UK. The vessels are designed to meet the specific challenges of North Atlantic routes, ensuring efficient and reliable service.
Advanced Design for North Atlantic Conditions
The vessels’ design, developed in collaboration with the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI), incorporates advanced features tailored for the demanding North Atlantic environment. Key design elements include an optimized hull structure for enhanced hydrodynamic performance, enabling higher service speeds and improved manoeuvrability. Additionally, the vessels will feature a dual-fuel propulsion system, capable of operating on both methanol and LNG, aligning with sustainable shipping practices. Other environmentally friendly features include silicone coatings, shore power connections, and energy-efficient equipment.
Expansion of Fleet and Future Prospects
ElbFeeder currently operates a fleet of seven container vessels. The addition of these two newbuilds will expand the fleet to nine, with options for two additional vessels under negotiation. Eimskip operates a total fleet of 14 vessels, while Ernst Russ manages a fleet of 26 vessels, focusing on smaller containerships, bulk carriers, and multipurpose vessels. This expansion underscores both companies’ commitment to strengthening their presence in the Iceland-Europe trade corridor.
Benefits to Passengers and Broader Implications
While the primary focus of this initiative is on cargo transportation, the improved efficiency and reliability of the shipping services are expected to have indirect benefits for passengers. Enhanced shipping operations can lead to more consistent schedules and potentially lower costs, contributing to a more robust maritime infrastructure that supports both commercial and passenger services.
What Next?
The strategic alliance forged between Ernst Russ and Eimskip manifests a decisive evolution of the North Atlantic shipping landscape. The co-investment in state-of-the-art feeder containerships is explicitly designed to optimise intermodal performance, embed environmentally sustainable operational standards, and broaden the collective logistical competence of the parties. Beyond serving as a noteworthy summit in Ernst Russ’s corporate trajectory, the agreement establishes a normative benchmark, inviting analogous future synergies across the diverse stakeholders of the global maritime economy.
