Rhys BerryStolt Tankers has reached an agreement with Wuhu Shipyard to build six 38,000 DWT stainless steel parcel tankers.
Scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2028, the order also comes with additional options for a further six newbuildings.
In a statement on the Oslo Stock Exchange today (21 November), Stolt Tankers’ parent company, Stolt-Nielsen, said the ships are designed to maximise fuel efficiency using modern engine design, hull form optimisation, ‘a wide range’ of energy savings devices, and shore power connection. Moreover, the vessels, which will have 30 stainless steel cargo tank segregations, can be converted for future battery and methanol propulsion.
‘Following our well-timed acquisitions of 10 secondhand ships since 2021, now is the right time
to invest in newbuildings,’ said Udo Lange, Chief Executive Officer, Stolt-Nielsen Limited. ‘This deal positions Stolt Tankers for the future by improving flexibility and maintaining our fleet size as we retire older ships from our network between 2026 and 2030.’
Lange continued: ‘It also reflects our strategy to add modern, fuel-efficient ships to our fleet to support our customers by improving our service offering and making their supply chains simpler and more sustainable. Not only will these new ships help Stolt Tankers in its ambition to reduce its carbon intensity by 50% (relative to the 2008 baseline) by 2030, but they will also help reduce customers’ Scope 3 emissions. These newbuildings put our strong balance sheet and cash flow generation to work to deliver sustainable shareholder returns while maintaining our position as the world’s largest operator of chemical tankers.’
Image: Shutterstock
Ian Taylor
