After revealing that up to 12 stainless steel chemical tankers will be built, Norwegian chemical tanker owner/operator Odfjell has returned to Japan’s Shin Kurushima Dockyard and China’s Yangzi Mitsui Shipbuilding to order new vessels.
Shipbroker Bancosta has informed that Odfjell has signed a contract for the construction of two 25,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers with Shin Kurushima Dockyard, which are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026 and the middle of 2027; and has signed a contract with Yangzi Mitsui Shipbuilding for the construction of two 49,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers, which are expected to be delivered by mid-2028 and the end of the year. The value of the two shipbuilding contracts has not been disclosed.
Odfjell is keen to order new vessels from Shin Kurushima Dockyard, Yangzi Mitsui Shipbuilding. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the owner has placed orders for one 25,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tanker and two 49,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers from these two shipyards respectively. The delivery date for Shin Kurushima Dockyard is scheduled for 2026, while Yangzi Mitsui Shipbuilding plans to deliver in 2027 and 2028.
Last month, Odfjell announced plans to build 6 to 12 large stainless steel chemical tankers to replace some of its older vessels, with an estimated cost of $500 million to $900 million, depending on the configuration, shipyard availability, newbuilding price and market factors. Shortly afterwards, the shipowner announced the new shipbuilding contracts signed with the two shipyards mentioned above.
At the end of 2024, Odfjell had a fleet of 71 vessel chemical tankers, including 46 owned or chartered vessels, 4 bareboat chartered vessels, 14 time chartered vessels and 3 pooled vessels.
Odfjell has pledged to reduce its carbon intensity by 57% by 2030 compared to 2008 and to have a carbon-neutral fleet from 2050. To achieve its goals, the company says it will order only net-zero carbon-emitting vessels, and the latest planned construction of up to 12 new vessels will also incorporate the latest energy efficiency and fuel technologies.