Swedish shippers Erik Thun Group, member of the Gothia Tanker Alliance, has launched its latest product tanker, Thun Resolve, an R-class: “Resource Efficiency” vessel developed to combine high performance with sustainability, operational reliability, and safety on board.
The launch ceremony, which took place on February 12, 2026, at the Ferus Smit BV shipyard in Leer, Germany, marks another step in the company’s long-term investment in a sustainable fleet and reinforces an ambition to be a sustainable Swedish partner across generations.
A 7,999 DWT ice-class 1A vessel, Thun Resolve can carry up to 9,500 m3 of liquid product, and is designed for efficient and reliable operation in the Northern European short-sea market for product tankers.
Upon delivery, she will enter a long-term employment program on established routes together with strategic chartering partners.
The vessel will be operated by Thun Tankers BV and will be part of the managed fleet of MF Shipping Group, which is responsible for technical operations.
The vessel will also sail within the Gothia Tanker Alliance, strengthening a collaborative network focused on safety, operational reliability, and stable transport capacity for customers in the region.
Equipped with practical sustainability
With a focus on practical sustainability, the vessel is equipped with shore power backup, an adaptive propulsion system, UPS battery support, and a new hull design that reduces drag in real-world operating conditions.
The tanker is also methanol-ready, enabling a smoother transition to future low- and zero-emission fuels.
The combination of these solutions reduces fuel consumption and emissions both at sea and in port, and strengthens compliance with current and future environmental requirements.
Thun Resolve strengthens our ability to support customers who rely on safe, efficient, and reliable transport in a rapidly changing regulatory environment. Every vessel we add is built for long-term value for our customers, our crews, and the regions we operate in, said Johan Källsson, Managing Director, Erik Thun Group.
Shared European shipbuilding heritage
The vessel is built by Ferus Smit BV, a partnership that now includes 51 vessels. The collaboration between Erik Thun Group, the shipyard, and MF Shipping Group reflects a shared European shipbuilding heritage and decades of collaboration characterized by quality, trust, and long-termism.
Following the Thun Resolve launch ceremony, Erik Thun Group, Ferus Smit, and MF Shipping Group hosted an international panel discussion in the Martinikerk in Groningen, the Netherlands.
The call brought together partners and stakeholders to discuss current challenges in sustainable shipbuilding, efficient transport solutions, and digitalization on board.
The dialogue reflected the industry’s commitment to joint solutions in the work on the maritime energy transition.
The R-class combines proven design with practical innovation. Adaptive propulsion system, methanol readiness, and a modern hull give us operational advantages from day one, while shore power and battery box reduce environmental impact in port. It is technology that benefits both people and performance, said Joakim Lund, Chief Commercial Officer, Thun Tankers.
