Recently, IceChem Tankers announced on its official website that its partners TB Marine and Ektank have signed a contract for the construction of four 22,000 DWT chemical tankers. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2026, with subsequent vessels delivered at three-month intervals until mid-2027.
The new vessels are constructed to 1A ice class standards and primarily serve the core shipping routes of the North Atlantic Basin. The vessels are designed to be highly fuel efficient demonstrating the lowest possible GHG emission impact of any conventional ships. Furthermore, they are ready to use green methanol as a fuel when same is available in a viable bunkering network for our trade and for this size vessel.
IceChem Tankers stated that this series of vessels will enable it to achieve the highest cargo throughput in the Great Lakes region, with a loading capacity of up to 15,000 tons under navigational draft conditions. The company noted this will deliver enhanced economies of scale for its customers.
This order continues the expansion of IceChem Tankers’ fleet and the development of its partnerships.
In November 2024, IceChem signed multi-year time charter agreements for two new 19,700 DWT stainless steel chemical tankers—the MH Future and MH Shogun.
In June 2023, IceChem announced that Swedish shipowner Ektank had become its partner and shareholder, with the fleets of both companies being integrated. IceChem stated that this collaboration would complement fleet resources and operational philosophies, creating synergies particularly in delivering premium services and ensuring the safety of chemical transportation.
Ektank’s extensive experience in North-West Europe and Baltic Sea routes complements IceChem’s operations on transatlantic and European CPP routes.
According to its official website, IceChem Tankers was established in 2018 and operates a fleet of 10 ice-class chemical tankers with deadweights ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 tons.