The delivery of a new 6,300-dwt multipurpose vessel has provided a clearer picture of Trawind Shipping & Logistics’ fleet structure and expansion plans, with the Chinese shipping company now controlling 25 owned vessels, including ships under construction.

Trawind held the naming and delivery ceremony for TRAWIND SHANGHAI in Dalian on 15 July.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from builder Lushun Binhai Shipbuilding & Repair, Daiichi Chuo Kisen, China Classification Society, Trawind Shipping & Logistics and Trawind Ship Management, as well as company employees.

According to information released by Trawind, its owned fleet and orderbook currently comprise 25 vessels, including 10 ships deployed in China’s domestic trades and 15 intended for international operations.

Of the total, 18 vessels are already in service, while seven internationally trading vessels remain under construction and are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027.

First of two 6,300-dwt multipurpose vessels

TRAWIND SHANGHAI is the first of two 6,300-dwt multipurpose vessels ordered by Trawind from the Dalian-based shipyard in June 2024.

The China Classification Society-classed vessel measures 103.08 metres in length, 17.6 metres in breadth and 9.3 metres in depth, with a service speed of up to 12.5 knots.

The ship has been designed for a broad range of breakbulk, project and general cargoes. It is equipped with two 60-tonne deck cranes, which can be operated in tandem to provide a combined lifting capacity of 120 tonnes.

Its single-hold, single-hatch box-shaped cargo arrangement allows the vessel to accommodate oversized cargoes of up to 13.5 metres in width. The configuration is intended to improve cargo flexibility and make the ship suitable for transporting machinery, steel structures, engineering equipment and other project cargoes.

Trawind said the vessel also incorporates an optimised low-resistance hull form that can reduce fuel consumption by approximately 15% compared with similar ships.

The second vessel in the series is currently under construction and is scheduled for delivery in October 2026.

Once both ships enter service, they will strengthen Trawind’s presence in the small multipurpose and project cargo segments, where lifting capability, cargo-hold geometry and operational flexibility are key competitive factors.

18 vessels in operation and seven under construction

Trawind’s disclosed fleet comprises 10 domestically trading ships, eight vessels currently deployed internationally and seven international-trading newbuildings.

The domestic fleet consists primarily of containerships, with nine container vessels supported by the 21,000-dwt multipurpose and general cargo ship XINFENG ANQING.

This structure reflects Trawind’s established position in China’s coastal container trades while also giving the company some flexibility to carry non-containerised cargoes.

Its internationally trading fleet is more diversified, covering multipurpose ships, general cargo vessels and dry bulk carriers ranging from 6,300 dwt to 82,000 dwt.

Besides TRAWIND SHANGHAI, the fleet includes the 12,000-dwt general cargo vessel TRAWIND GLORY, the 16,700-dwt bulker TRAWIND VISION, the 17,500-dwt BAO HE HAI, the 31,000-dwt BAO RONG HAI, the 40,500-dwt EB TRAWIND, the 56,000-dwt BAO TAI HAI and the 82,000-dwt BAO TONG HAI.

The mix gives Trawind exposure to several segments of the dry cargo market, including breakbulk, steel products, machinery, project cargoes and conventional bulk commodities.

It also provides greater flexibility in matching vessel size and cargo-handling capability with different routes and customer requirements.

Seven international-trading newbuildings remain on order

Trawind has seven vessels under construction, all of which are intended for international service and will be classed by China Classification Society.

The orderbook comprises the second 6,300-dwt multipurpose vessel and six 14,000-dwt general cargo ships.

In addition to the second multipurpose ship, two of the 14,000-dwt vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2026. The remaining four are due to join the fleet in 2027.

This means Trawind is expected to take delivery of at least three more vessels during the remainder of 2026, followed by four further newbuildings in 2027.

Assuming no vessel disposals or other fleet changes, all 25 ships currently included in the company’s owned fleet and orderbook will be operational by the end of 2027.

The composition of the orderbook also indicates where Trawind intends to focus its next phase of growth. All seven newbuildings are assigned to international trades, while six are 14,000-dwt general cargo vessels.

This points to a deliberate expansion in international breakbulk, multipurpose and project cargo transportation.

A two-track fleet strategy

Trawind’s fleet is increasingly developing along two distinct business lines.

Its domestic business remains centred on coastal container shipping, while its international operations are being built around general cargo, multipurpose and dry bulk vessels.

The delivery of TRAWIND SHANGHAI, together with the second ship in the series and six 14,000-dwt general cargo newbuildings, will increase the company’s capacity to handle project cargoes, oversized equipment and conventional breakbulk shipments.

Compared with standardised container shipping, these trades require more specialised vessels, cargo-handling equipment and operational expertise. They can, however, offer greater differentiation and closer customer relationships.

With the seven newbuildings due to join the fleet by 2027, Trawind’s internationally trading fleet will expand from eight to 15 vessels, exceeding the size of its domestic fleet.

The latest delivery therefore represents more than the addition of a single ship. It forms part of a broader shift by Trawind from a predominantly domestic coastal operator towards a more diversified shipping company with a growing presence in international multipurpose and general cargo markets.