Meriaura’s first Ecotrader newbuilding was launched and christened at the Royal Bodewes shipyard, Holland, on 14th November 2025. The christening was conducted by the vessel’s godmother, Meriaura’s CFO, Miia Sofia Peltonen. We are thrilled to introduce Sofia VG! She will join our fleet and begin trading in early 2026.
Sofia VG is the first of the two ordered Ecotrader ships that are 105 meters long, 1A ice classed 6735 DWT vessels. The ships are designed to achieve the lowest possible emission levels. Like the EcoCoaster vessels Eeva VG and Mirva VG delivered in 2016, the Ecotraders can be operated with biofuel. Emission reductions are achieved not only through the use of renewable fuel but also through hull optimization and advanced engine technology provided by the Finnish company Wärtsilä. Due to these technical improvements the ship’s fuel economy is remarkably better compared to older vessels.
The Ecotrader vessels are approximately 30 percent larger than the EcoCoaster vessels. This is to meet the market and customer needs, and the larger vessel size also improves economic efficiency and lightens the environmental burden of transport.
