Germany's Rhenus-Arkon-Shipinvest (RHAS) has made its first move into shipowning with a new order in China.
The company has contracted four 4,200-dwt general cargo vessels at Dayang Offshore.
They will be delivered in 2021, but no price has been given.
The company said the vessels would form its own ecological short-sea fleet.
The Hanse Eco Short Sea Coasters are the result of an initiative launched by Torsten Westphal, one of the founding members of Arkon Shipping.
