Royal Bodewes launches the Saga VG vessel in the Netherlands for shipping company Meriaura
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On Thursday, November 12, Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes named and launched the dry cargo vessel Saga VG, built for Finnish shipping company Meriaura. The vessel holds an ice class 1A rating and is equipped with systems ready to operate on biofuel or diesel, and is expected to join the fleet in early 2027.
Technical specifications
Saga VG is a 105-meter-long vessel, with hull number 833, a deadweight capacity of 6,735 tonnes and two bulkheaded holds with a combined cargo capacity of 8,778 cubic meters. According to Meriaura, both sister vessels are approximately 30 percent larger than its dry cargo vessels Eeva VG and Mirva VG.
Naming ceremony
The naming ceremony was conducted by the vessel's godmother, Saga Rosin, daughter of Meriaura's CEO, Beppe Rosin, after whom the ship is named.
Sister vessel and fleet
Saga VG is the second of two units in Royal Bodewes' Ecotrader series ordered by Meriaura in April 2024 as part of a fleet renewal program replacing older units. The first, Sofia VG, entered service in May 2026. Both fuel systems allow for the use of different types of biofuel and blending during operation, with diesel and biofuel stored in three separate tanks. Meriaura operates mainly in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, where Finnish port icebreaking assistance restrictions require minimum ice class and deadweight requirements to access icebreaker assistance.
Statements from the shipping company
Beppe Rosin, CEO of Meriaura, noted that the first vessel in the sister series has so far met expectations in every respect, highlighting its fuel efficiency and the crew's positive feedback on its maneuverability, operational efficiency and workplace safety. Jyrki Hentula, Meriaura's technical director and project manager for both vessels, stated that they are confident the Saga VG will meet expectations equally well.
