Asia Break Bulk expands heavy-lift fleet with four newbuild vessels
Singapore-based Asia Break Bulk (ABB), part of Hamburg-based COLI Group, has signed long-term agreements with Schoeller Holdings for four new multipurpose heavy-lift vessels, strengthening its capacity to transport project cargo between Asia and Europe.
The four Octopus-type vessels will each have a deadweight capacity of 12,600 tonnes and will be built to a design developed by CSSC-SDARI. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in October 2028, with the remaining three sister vessels expected to follow. The company did not disclose the shipyard, the total investment value or the delivery dates for the subsequent vessels.
Each vessel will feature two 250-tonne cranes capable of operating in tandem to lift cargo weighing up to 500 tonnes. A single box-shaped cargo hold measuring more than 89 metres in length will accommodate oversized and complex project shipments, while the bridge-forward configuration will provide additional deck space for large cargo units.
The design also incorporates ice class 1A, allowing operations in ice-affected waters during winter conditions, and is optimised for fuel efficiency at a service speed of 15 knots. According to Asia Break Bulk, the combination of lifting capacity, cargo space and vessel dimensions is intended to provide greater flexibility when serving ports with draft or infrastructure restrictions.
The investment comes as Asia Break Bulk marks its twentieth anniversary in 2026. The company has developed breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo services connecting Asia and Europe, with the new vessels intended to address customer requirements for shorter transit times and direct access to destinations outside major liner shipping hubs.
“We are seeing increasing demand from our customers for shorter transit times and direct access to ports and destinations with draft and infrastructure limitations,” said Maximilian Fischer, General Manager at Asia Break Bulk.
Fischer explained that smaller multipurpose vessels can offer operational advantages despite the economies of scale available to larger ships. Direct transportation can reduce the need for transshipment, limiting additional handling, costs and potential cargo risks, particularly for long, heavy or technically demanding shipments.
The newbuilding programme will also involve Columbia Shipmanagement, which is responsible for supervising construction. Once the vessels enter service, Columbia will provide technical and crew management, while Schoeller Holdings will support the project through its fleet development and financing expertise.
COLI Group said the investment would strengthen its carrier operations alongside its existing project cargo brokerage and freight forwarding activities. The group aims to combine the additional vessel capacity with its wider logistics network to handle complex transportation requirements across different markets.
“This investment in both our customers and our capabilities strengthens what COLI Group can offer in complex breakbulk transport and logistic solutions,” said Felix Peinemann, Managing Director of COLI Group.
The four vessels will expand Asia Break Bulk’s heavy-lift capabilities as demand for specialised shipping solutions continues to shape the project cargo market. Their configuration is intended to support direct deliveries of oversized industrial equipment and other complex cargoes to ports that may be less accessible to larger multipurpose vessels.
