The heavy-lift orderbook wave, 2028–2031
A run of orders over the last few months points to a lot of new heavy-lift and heavy-transport tonnage arriving between 2028 and 2031. Here's what's been announced, and the questions it raises for anyone moving breakbulk, out-of-gauge or project cargo. This is analysis, not a forecast. Nobody knows yet what rates will do.
What's been ordered
| Owner | What | Key specs | Delivery | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers | 8 multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels | 60,000 dwt each. About US$392m in total, roughly US$49m a ship. Built in China. | 2029–30 | World Ports Organization, 29 Sep 2026 |
| SAL Heavy Lift | MoU for 5 more Orca-class ships | 14,600 dwt, 2 × 800 t cranes (1,600 t in tandem), built at Wuhu. A non-binding MoU signed at SMM Hamburg on 3 Sep. It would take the series to 10. | Not stated in our source | As reported by HMT News, 7 Sep 2026 (also covered by Seatrade Maritime and PortNews) |
| Jumbo | 2 L-class heavy-lift ships | 25,000 dwt, 2 × 1,200 t Huisman cranes, built at Dajin | 2028–29 | Jumbo Maritime, 26 May 2026 |
| Allseas | Grand Tour heavy-transport vessel | 60,000 t capacity, 230 × 57 m, built at GSI, China. Sized to slot into Pioneering Spirit's bow for 2 GW converter topsides. | Q1 2028 | Offshore Magazine, 5 Oct 2026 |
| Cadeler | 2 T-class wind installation vessels | About €805m for the pair. Built in China. | 2030 and 2031 | Cadeler, 10 Aug 2026 |
Reports differ on which yard is building the COSCO ships, so we haven't named it.
Not all of this is "space" for your cargo
It helps to split the list in two.
- Ships that carry other people's cargo. The COSCO multi-purpose heavy-lifters, SAL's Orcas and Jumbo's L-class are the kind of tonnage that breakbulk, OOG and project shippers can book.
- Ships built for one kind of offshore job. Allseas' Grand Tour is designed to work with Pioneering Spirit on large converter topsides. Cadeler's T-class are wind installation vessels. They add capacity to offshore energy work, not to the general heavy-lift market.
What it could mean for space and rates
More capable ships usually mean more options. Whether that turns into easier space or lower rates depends on things these announcements don't tell us:
- Demand. If offshore wind and other energy projects take up a lot of the new heavy-lift capacity, general project cargo may not feel much difference.
- Fleet replacement. Some new ships may replace older ones rather than add to the fleet. Our sources don't cover retirements.
- Firm vs not yet firm. SAL's five extra Orcas are a non-binding MoU. Count firm orders and options differently.
- Timing. Deliveries run from 2028 to 2031, so any effect would build over several years, not overnight.
- Crane capacity bands. Twin 800 t and twin 1,200 t cranes serve different lift sizes. Look at the band your cargo actually needs.
Questions worth asking now
- For projects shipping in 2028–31, which carriers will have ships with the lift capacity and deck space you need?
- Is your heaviest piece in a crane band where new capacity is coming, or one where it's still tight?
- Will your cargo be competing for the same ships as offshore wind campaigns in those years?
- Are long-term contract offers based on today's market or on the new ships coming?
Sources
- World Ports Organization, Order for eight 60,000 dwt multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels, 29 Sep 2026. Read the source
- HMT News, SAL Heavy Lift signs MOU for five more Orca Class vessels, 7 Sep 2026. Read the source
- Jumbo Maritime, Jumbo orders a new class of versatile heavy lift vessels, 26 May 2026. Read the source
- Offshore Magazine, Allseas begins construction of heavy-transport vessel for offshore megaprojects, 5 Oct 2026. Read the source
- Cadeler press release (Business Wire), Cadeler strengthens future installation capacity with firm orders for two new T-class vessels, 10 Aug 2026. Read the source
HMT News says its articles are AI-assisted and edited, so we attribute its facts as "reported by" and you should check them before relying on them. The Jumbo and Cadeler items are company announcements, not independent news.