On November 4, Norwegian chemical tanker owner and operator Odfjell disclosed in its Q3 2026 report that it has secured two additional 40,000 DWT stainless steel chemical tankers to be built by Kitanihon Shipbuilding.
It is worth noting that these two 40,000 DWT stainless steel chemical tankers from Kitanihon Shipbuilding are not being ordered directly by Odfjell; rather, they will be acquired through a chartering agreement, with delivery scheduled for 2029. As the shipbuilding contracts were finalized after September 30, Odfjell has not disclosed the exact signing date, the identity of the counterparty (the shipowner), the charter rates, or the duration of the charter.
Odfjell stated that upon delivery, the two newly ordered vessels will be integrated into its fleet of “super-segregator” stainless-steel tankers—a vessel type specifically designed to transport various grades of chemicals and other liquid cargoes in independently segregated cargo tanks.
This latest order follows an agreement reached by Odfjell a few months ago. In April, the company entered into an agreement with a Japanese shipowner to acquire four 40,000 DWT stainless-steel chemical tankers currently under construction. These vessels are also being built by Kitanippon Shipbuilding and are scheduled for delivery between the first quarter of 2027 and the second quarter of 2029.
Quarterly reports indicate that, as of the end of September 2026, Odfjell held orders for a total of 18 new vessels. Concurrently, the shipowner is phasing out older tonnage; by the end of the third quarter of 2026, it had entered into agreements to sell the 2011-built chemical tankers “Bow Elm” and “Bow Lind.” These two vessels are expected to be delivered to their new owners between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the beginning of the first quarter of 2027.