Multipurpose short-sea bulker launched at Royal T Shipyards

A second bulk carrier in the new Labrax 7680 series being built at Royal T Shipyards for the UK’s Carisbrooke Shipping has been launched in the Netherlands. The Heleen C, 118.6m long and 7,680dwt, will now begin a final outfitting stage before joining sister vessel, Greta C, later in the year.

The Labrax 7680 series has been developed from the smaller 7,280dwt Labrax design. Its two full-box cargo holds have a combined capacity of 329,700 cubic feet enabling the carriage of a wide range of dry cargoes in short-sea trades. The bulk carrier has an advanced diesel-electric propulsion system and intelligent power management to optimise fuel and emissions performance.

Thecla Bodewes, Royal T Shipyards CEO, said: “The launch of Heleen C marks another important moment in our cooperation with Carisbrooke Shipping. With this second vessel we continue to demonstrate that innovation often lies in continuously refining and improving proven concepts. The Labrax 7680 series offers shipowners a future-ready vessel that combines efficiency, flexibility, and reduced environmental impact.”

The UK owner and the Dutch shipbuilder are both family-owned companies. Carisbrooke, with offices in Cowes, UK, and Rotterdam, manages a fleet of more than 20 dry cargo and multipurpose vessels in the short-sea trades.

Royal T Shipyards, with four facilities in the Netherlands, is a seventh-generation Dutch shipbuilding group with a shipbuilding history that extends over more than 300 years.